Biography: Anne Carolyn Turner, 82, affectionately known by family and friends as “Annie T,” died August 20, 2023. She was born November 29, 1940 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Finley Pascal and Lee Riddle Turner. Anne was a graduate of Fort Smith High School and the University of Arkansas and was a proud member of the Chi Omega sorority, where she made many lifelong and very special friends.
Anne began her career as a teacher and taught in Denver, Colorado, Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland where her two sons Coley and Snow were born. Anne raised her sons in Denver and returned to Little Rock when both sons were in college. Anne worked at UAMS in marketing and communications and in Fort Smith at Sparks Hospital where she also worked in marketing.
Settling in Little Rock after retirement, Anne rekindled old friendships and made many new ones. She enjoyed the times spent with her close friends in the Dip and Dangle, exercise classes, long walks, and book clubs. She traveled often, visiting her two sons and their families in Panama and Colorado, and traveled with her close friends and family to Hawaii and Europe.
Anne was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Charles Robert Turner and her brother-in-law, Chester Lowe. She is survived by her sons, William Coles Hudgins III, of Panama and Washington, DC, and Paul Snow Hudgins II (Laura) of Denver. She was always “Annie T” to her six grandchildren Max, Lila, and Harper of Panama, and Tate, Finley, and Sawyer of Denver.
She is also survived by her sisters, Janie Lowe of Little Rock, and Patti Lueck (Dan) of Hot Springs Village; nieces and nephews: Catherine Reber (Kevin) of Bowling Green, KY; Mitchell Lowe (Sarah Beth) of Little Rock; Ally Hunkins (Cordell) of Apple Valley, MN, and Betsy Allen (Ryan) of Leesburg, VA, and their children.
A family service of remembrance will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com
Anne was a great friend, mentor and “Work Mom” to those of us who were just beginning adult lives and careers when she was at UAMS. She was a tremendous role model. I don’t think I can express it any better than Chiquita. Anne took us under her wing and encouraged us to grow personally, professionally, educationally and to live life to the fullest. She was warm, accepting, inspirational but most of all fun. Her pool parties were the best and she hosted the UAMS Family’s engagement party for me and Jerry and then our first baby shower. We have the best memories of Anne. One of my favorites is from when we shared an office. Every day when leaving, Anne would say, “Mel, I going to go jump around!” Annie T was a gem.