Anna Jane Cherry Enloe was born September 14, 1939, and passed away Thursday, August 31, 2017. Her health had been in decline for the past year, but we were shocked that such a vibrant life came to an end so suddenly. She was just shy of 78.

Anna grew up in the small, east Texas town of Tatum. She was the youngest of four children to Gil and Janie Cherry. Considerably younger than her siblings, Anna was nicknamed Dinky (pronounced “Danky” in East Texas) and excelled at school and baton twirling, graduating as the valedictorian of her Tatum High School senior class.

Anna went on to study at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas. She was a proud member of what would become the Chi Omega sorority and, later in life, saw her daughter, daughter-in-law, and three granddaughters all initiated into Chi-O. Anna received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Stephen F. Austin and, subsequently, received a Master’s degree from Auburn University.

Along the way, Anna fell in love with a lanky East Texan from Henderson named John Enloe, also a graduate of Stephen F. Austin. They were married, and John was commissioned into the United States Air Force. Together, John and Anna lived adventures far beyond the timber of East Texas. They lived in Turkey, England, and throughout the United States. Anna embraced life as an officer’s wife, planning functions, looking after enlisted families, and managing the home, despite multiple moves. Throughout their travels, Anna connected with other families and made life-long friends. She corresponded frequently, in several cases for decades; and their home was a welcomed site for visitors.

A woman of faith, Anna was active in her church and, especially, CBS Bible Study. She encouraged her family to pray and develop their own relationships with God. Anna spoke her mind without being judgmental. Throughout her life, she suffered terrible migraine headaches without blaming a higher power. She modeled a life with Christ and inspired new mothers, friends, and her own family with her love and faithfulness.

More than anything else, Anna will be known as Nana to her nine grandchildren. Anna Enloe was a FABULOUS grandmother. Each grandchild has fond memories of cuddling with her while reading stories for hours. She was always thrilled to hear the successes, adventures, and calamities of her grandchildren and reacted to each with just the right amount of humor, sympathy, and encouragement. Through college and beyond, grandkids came to visit Nana and Colonel, bringing friends from across the country to visit, hear a saucy comment, laugh hard, and aspire to #grandmothergoals.

Anna is survived by a devoted, doting, loving husband, Colonel (retired) John D. Enloe, her sister Corrine Young of Tatum, Texas, her three children, David Enloe, Cherry Enloe Tapley, and Chris Enloe, and their families, including nine grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home Thursday, September 7 at 1:00 with a reception to follow at Chantilly National Golf and Country Club. Anna will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery this fall. She was proud to enjoy the privilege of this final resting place. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Nalani Horse Recovery (http://virginiahorseback.com/horse-rescue/).