Anna Mae DeJarnett

Anna Mae Wade DeJarnett of Marietta, GA, died January 30, 2026, at the age of ninety-five after a full and rich life of love and faith, assured of Christ’s love and promise of resurrection to new life.

Born on her maternal grandparents’ farm in Joppa, Massac County, IL, on July 7, 1930, she was the elder of two daughters of Cecil and Verna Cockrel Wade. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Lindell DeJarnett, her sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Robert Anderson; a niece, Cheryl Anderson Harr; a nephew, Donald DeJarnett; and her brothers and sisters-in-law: Raymond and Fern DeJarnett, Arnold and Elizabeth DeJarnett, Omer and Betty DeJarnett, Elva DeJarnett, Evelyn DeJarnett and Alan Gene DeJarnett.

Ann was educated in the Massac County schools and attended Illinois Wesleyan College, where she studied music. She left school in 1950 to marry Lindell DeJarnett, whom she had known since childhood. They were a team already in high school, leading music at church youth events. After Lindell completed graduate studies, the two of them lived a life of ministry and service together in Decatur and Marietta, GA. They also led music for revivals and camp meetings throughout Georgia and Illinois with Lindell as song leader and Ann at the piano. Ann was known not only for her ability to play most anything by ear, but also for her skills as a collaborative pianist, playing for various choral ensembles, countless solo and ensemble festivals, and numerous college auditions over many years. She taught piano in her home for over forty years. She was a life-long United Methodist who lived out her faith through her music. She was known for her sweet smile, positive approach to life, and also for the slow, deliberate manner in which she ate each meal and for the stubborn streak that occasionally came out. She had an innate ability for multi-tasking – teaching a piano student, while listening to and keeping track of how long her children practiced their instruments in another part of the house, and cooking the evening meal - all at the same time. The DeJarnett home was a place of welcome for family, friends, and most anyone who might show up at the door. She continued to play piano into her 90’s as the pianist for the weekly worship service at Atherton Place and often in the lobby, purely for the enjoyment of the residents.

Ann is survived by her four sons and their spouses: Stanley and Kaye DeJarnett of Madison, GA; Douglas and Susan Grove-DeJarnett of Johnson City, TN; Jeffrey and Kibbie DeJarnett of Marietta, GA; and Christopher DeJarnett and Kyle Ritter of Weaverville, NC; her twelve grandchildren and their spouses; Brittany Kisner (Kevin), Caroline Flexer (Jay), Emily Webber (Blair), Hannah Grove-DeJarnett (Bob Sellappan), Gretchen Frankenberry (Ryan), Harrison DeJarnett (Taylor), Elliott DeJarnett (Hillary), Marie Claire Powell (Jared), Benjamin DeJarnett (Kelly), Susannah DeJarnett, Charlotte DeJarnett and Avery DeJarnett, eighteen great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her devoted and special friend, Gayle Ford Bourne, for whom Ann was a second mother.

A memorial service will take place Sunday, March 1, at 2:00 pm at the Marietta First United Methodist Church, 56 Whitlock Ave., with The Reverend Dr. Harden P. Hopper III and The Reverend Douglas Grove-DeJarnett officiating. Burial will be a private service for the family.

The family is deeply grateful to the staff of Atherton Place, which provided loving and gentle care for both Lindell and Ann since 2015, and the caring staff of Grace Living, who cared for Ann during her last weeks. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Ministry of Music of the Marietta First United Methodist Church.