Ann Hornsby Gravlee, age 94, of Huntsville, AL passed away August 1, 2024. Ann was born on July 29, 1930, in Columbus, Mississippi to Carson Lowder Hornsby and Mary Thompson Spencer Hornsby. Ann spent most of her childhood in Huntsville Alabama and graduated in 1949 from Huntsville High School. She was a member of First Baptist Church where she served faithfully in the Sanctuary Choir, Preschool and Children’s Ministry. She always had a heart for young children and at a time when there were very limited options for preschool children, she founded Sherwood Drive Playschool in 1965. She delighted in providing learning and development opportunities for preschoolers until she retired in 1974. Her students remembered her fondly and even as much as 50 years later she would occasionally be contacted by her former students. She loved to entertain and connect with people. In her later years she became the “Dove Lady” and took great joy in giving Dove chocolates to everyone she met. Most of all, she was thankful for our Lord Jesus Christ and sought to share His love at every opportunity.
She is survived by her son, Gaines Pendleton Gravlee, Jr. of Huntsville; daughter, Beth Gravlee Eiland of Redlands, CA; daughter in-law, Susan Chastain Gravlee; son in-law, Russell Eiland; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gaines Pendleton Gravlee; her brother, Raymond Lee Hornsby; her sister, Mary Virginia Martin; and her sister in-law, Joan Hobby Hornsby.
Visitation will be at 1:00PM on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at First Baptist Church, Huntsville with the funeral service at 2:00PM. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, Inc. with Laughlin Service Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Our Place Huntsville (ourplacehsv.org) or to First Baptist Church, Huntsville.
