Vivian Ann McGarrh Papasan

Vivian Ann McGarrh Papasan, 82, of Tunica, MS passed away peacefully at her home in Tunica, Mississippi, on August 22, 2023.

Ann was born on March 11, 1941, in Stewart, Mississippi, to Max and Hilda McGarrh. She was a true Southern lady of integrity, grace, and beauty, who deeply loved her family and friends. She graduated from Eupora High School in 1958, where she was chosen as Miss Eupora High her senior year. She was a star basketball player who was known for her fiery personality on the court. She attended Holmes Community College on a cheerleading scholarship. She did secretarial work in Jackson, Mississippi and Chicago, Illinois, before returning home to become a bride. She married her beloved Bobby Hugh Papasan on his birthday, December 12, 1962, at the preacher's home in Pinedale, Mississippi. Ann and Bobby moved to Tunica in 1964, where she worked in the Tax Assessor's Office before being hired as the Deputy City Clerk and eventually City Clerk. Ann served under five mayors as the City Clerk and retired in 2005 from the Town of Tunica.

Ann was the proud owner of Ann-Tiques on Tunica's Main Street from 1986 until her passing. The store was connected to Dunn's Jewelry, her beloved Bobby's store. You could always find them both sitting in the front of Dunn's Jewelry in their chairs watching activity downtown. Ann always had a word search game book in her hand. Ann and Bobby loved to travel. They went on five extended train tours across the United States. Ann loved the tiny cabins on the train and the dining car. They went on thirteen ocean cruises together and got to visit every continent. Ann took her daughter and friends on a cruise one summer and it grew into a yearly event for the next eight summers. Ann loved having her girls around on cruises and trips to the beach. She was affectionately referred to as "The Queen."

Ann was active in many community organizations like the Women's Club, Booster Club, and the PTA. She cooked many pots of spaghetti sauce for fundraisers. She was a supporter of Tunica Institute of Learning and eventually Tunica Academy. She was a big supporter of Tasty Treats and the Country Fair. Ann was an avid cook and shared her recipes by making many special cookbooks of her favorite recipes. She loved to share them with her friends and family far and wide. Ann's favorite pie to cook was her hot fudge pie. Ann and Bobby spent years going to flea markets and yard sales collecting glass pie plates. She was known as the Pie Lady of Tunica. One year she made and delivered sixty-four hot fudge pies to friends, neighbors, family, and young kids. Many people have had Ann's hot fudge pies made with love. Ann loved entertaining. Ann and Bobby started a neighborhood block party with everyone that lived west of Sugar Ditch. As the neighborhood and party grew, it evolved into a "Ladies Party' in the fall and at Christmas including women from all around. Ann loved opening her home at Christmas time to celebrate the season. Her love of Christmas lasted year-round resulting in her Christmas tree, decorations, and extensive collection of Santa Clauses remaining up all year long.

Our cherished Mimi loved people. She was a people-person and saw nothing but the good in every single individual. In addition to pouring her heart into her beloved family, she spent her life trying to make life better for everyone she came in contact with. Her generosity knew no bounds.

Ann is survived by the love of her life, Bobby Hugh Papasan, for 62 years; two children, Jeff Papasan (Rhonda) of Tunica, MS, LeAnn Flowers (Mattson) of Clarksdale, MS; four grandchildren, Emmie Shing (Devyn), Gregory Flowers, Zachary Flowers, Ann Gray Flowers Hardy (William), ; one great grandchild, Rowan Shing; and one sibling Pat Vickers (Jimmy) of Eupora, MS.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, the 23rd of August, 2023, at the Tunica United Methodist Church Family Life Center at 10:00 am. A Celebration of Life will follow at 11:00 am in the chapel. Burial will follow at Oakridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Tunica United Methodist Church or Tunica Academy. Meredith-Nowell Funeral Home in Clarksdale, MS is handling the arrangements.