E. Ann Strickland Egleston

EGLESTON E. Ann Strickland Egleston, 73, passed into the direct presence of her Lord Jesus on February 17, 2008. Born to long-time Gainesville residents and business couple, Coy and Ruby Strickland, Ann grew up assisting in the parts department of their International Harvester dealership. All were involved members of First Baptist Church, and she was an active and outstanding graduate of Gainesville High School. After completing a B.A. at the University of Florida, Ann was appointed administrative assistant to the vice president of the university. She was selected as the administrative assistant to the founding and first president of the University of South Florida. She and her husband Tom Egleston enjoyed each other, square dancing, crafts and antiques; Ann also enjoyed gardening and (like her mother) flower arranging. Both Ann and Tom were very active in Arlington Baptist Church. They also enjoyed volunteering for the China-Burma-India Veterans Association, the Florida Georgia Blood Alliance, public broadcasting antique auctions, and the Fairways Forest Civic Association. Ann was a member of the Katherine Livingston Chapter DAR. Ann is preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 47.5 years. She is survived by her daughter Ruth and her husband Ronald Finnerty of Jacksonville, and her son John and his wife Dyann Egleston and three grandchildren, Areanna, Taletha and Amos of Madison, WI. The family will welcome visitors Friday, February 22, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home, 940 Cesery Boulevard. Brother Fred Norman will lead the funeral service to be held Saturday, February 23, at 11:00 AM at Arlington Baptist Church, 6009 Arlington Road, followed by committal at Greenlawn Cemetery. Pallbearers, both active and honorary, will be from among members of the family, the Fairways Forest Civic Association, Arlington Baptist Church, and the China-Burma-India Veterans Association. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Ann Egleston memorial fund for God's work at the University of South Florida through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. Visit www.intervarsity.org/donate/to/annegleston or reach InterVarsity's special gifts coordinator toll free at (866) 734-4823 for offline options. Ann would want to be remembered for her respect for and service to people. She was a woman of grace because she lived under the gracious leadership of Jesus, her Savior. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com