Ann Rider, 65, of Cabot, went home to see her Lord and Savior on her birthday, March 18, 2024 after being diagnosed four days earlier with cancer.  Born March 18, 1959 in Little Rock, Arkansas, she was the middle daughter of three girls born to Kathern Rider and the late Bill Rider.

Life began for Ann in the Geyer Springs area in Little Rock. Before she was known as "Annie" to her family and closest friends, Ann's nickname was "Pebbles." With a tuft of blonde hair atop her head, her biggest joy was running to the back yard to the swing set – swinging - up and down – giggling and smiling, eyes wide opened - observing and enjoying the adventure. Ann's sisters say she was sneaky growing up, mischievous, and loved to pinch. For whatever reason... Pinch Pinch Pinch

Ann's daddy was a Missionary Baptist preacher, and her Christian foundation and Biblical world view was instilled in her by her mother and father. Ann was ten years old when she accepted the Lord as her personal savior and was baptized. When Ann and her sisters and friends sat in the last pew and giggled and whispered during a sermon, Bill would walk down from the pulpit to the back pew and pop one of them on the head to be quiet and just keep on preaching. Ann got much of her personality from her father – her heart for Jesus and her compassion and giving to others.

After graduating from Batesville High School in 1977, Ann went on to UCA and received a BSE in Special Education and later an MS in Counseling. In August of 1982, fresh out of college, Ann was hired by Cabot where she first taught special education. She traveled back and forth from Ward to East Side Elementary. Her "classroom" at Eastside Elementary consisted of a breaker/utility closet where one student actually flipped a breaker. She then taught 4 th grade at Ward full time where many of her coworkers became her lifelong friends and some friends became family.

Ann then became a counselor for the rest of her school career – and this is where she exceled and where her talents and purpose impacted so many students. At North Side Elementary, she was heavily involved in sending back packs of food home with hungry kids. She was an excellent shopper- buying anything her students needed. Her love for kids was drawn more to the less fortunate, the outsider, the underprivileged, for she was a champion for those kids who "didn't have." Ann was resourceful in knowing how to get things done. She, along with some other teachers, created Cabot Can, making sure kids didn't go hungry during the winter months when school was closed.

Although she was headstrong, Ann was special! She was still a kid at heart, and it was her desire that students could experience the joy and ease of childhood. She mentored many students throughout the years, but one special relationship came from a kindergartner who is now a 9th grader, Jobeth Johnson. Ann was like her older sister, and cheered and supported her in many activities.

In May of 2016, Ann ended her 34 years of teaching at Stage Coach Elementary with a lifetime of beautiful memories of the children she had taught and counseled, of teachers and administrators whom she loved, and of a community she served faithfully and without regret.

Ann had many friends – teacher friends, vacation friends, family friends, Bible study friends, traveling friends, and her best friend – Paula Vance and her extended family. She loved them all – and they loved her. She was funny, full of sarcasm, and gave most everyone "the look" that said it all. Her smile, that laugh, that twinkle in her eye – how could you not love Annie?

Ann loved her dogs, and she'd be disappointed if we didn't remember her sweet Bucky and Bebe who both passed in 2022 - and her now feisty and crazy dog Bella and her serious and cuddly Ellie who Paula will continue to take care and love. Ann loved country music, going to concerts, and just staying home and enjoying her screened-in porch, a Sonic drink, and a dog in her lap. She could also be impromptu, always up for anything – especially travel.

The love of travel was always there…going to Australia with Becky for a month, going to Chicago with Brenda and Kenny and other places, going to Wyoming to see Paula's family, and traveling to the beach with the girls. These are just a few of her travel destinations over the years.

Ann was thrilled to have started leading bus tours for Searcy Travel. She brought along a lot of old friends and met new ones along the way. She brought her mom on the trips to enjoy the adventures with her – from Yellowstone to Niagara Falls – and her travelers' common response about their trip leader - Ann was fun!

A Mother Hen – that's what Ann was to her kids at school, and among her family, her coworkers, and her friendship circles - spreading her wings around those who needed nurturing and comforting – who needed advice or assistance – sometimes, whether you needed it or not - kicking those chicken legs back and forth until she got it just the way she wanted. Ann would be real with you, too! If you were not following the plan and had something to say about it, she'd often say, "I hate that for ya." Even if you have a slight tear in your eye right now, she'd tell you to "Buckle up, Buttercup!"

We are very lucky in this lifetime to have a solid faithful friend. One who is the keeper of our secrets and brings us a quiet joy. Friends are to encourage, pray, listen, and bare each other's burdens. Beyond words, beyond distance, and beyond time – Paula, you were that loyal friend to Ann, and she, to you.

Ann was faithful to her mom. She took her on trips, to church, and shopping; she always called her mom every evening between 5:00-6:00 p.m. to check on her and share the day. They enjoyed many precious moments together, and Mrs. Kathern will need our continued prayers.

Last week, as Annie lay in the hospital bed, the doctor asked each sister her age, but all they could focus on was who was the bossiest – two fingers pointed towards Brenda and one to Ann. So who was the bossiest over the years? I think we can all agree that they all were – nonetheless, you will find a solid faithful beating heart – one beat that carries the Rider memories – regardless of whose tale was spun – it's a lifetime of love.

She loved her nephew, Zach and her niece, Faith. Ann often spoiled them and doted on them over the years. When holidays came, Ann always made sure that her gifts to them surpassed their parents. When being introduced as their Aunt, she would often say, "I'm the nice one!" She was beyond proud of their accomplishments and smiled ear to ear when she spoke of them.

Spring – Easter- Jesus Crucified. Ann went up to Heaven because of the Promise of His resurrection. Yes, our Annie, swinging high on her swing set, letting go of the pain and concerns of this world, entering eternity with eyes wide open, smiling at the feet of Jesus. The best Birthday ever! What would our Mother Hen tell us now? She'd pinch us real hard and real good and say, "Hey, Y'all, He's coming soon!"

Survivors include her mother, Kathern Rider of Cabot; sister, Brenda (Kenny) Early of Cabot; sister, Becky (Tim) Walters of Bella Vista; nephew Zach Early of Hubert, Oklahoma, and niece Faith Walters of Bella Vista. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Faith Baptist Church in Cabot, the Cabot Scholarship Foundation, or a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be Thursday afternoon, March 28 from 2:30-4:00 at Faith Baptist Church in Cabot, followed by a Celebration of Life memorial at 4:00 p.m.  Arrangements by Moore's Cabot Funeral Home, 501-843-5816.