Ann Anderson

Ann Cloninger Anderson passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025 at the age of 89.

She was born in White Plains, NY on May 6, 1936 to the late Craig Solon Cloninger and the late Pauline Josephine Lanning Cloninger. When Ann was two, the family returned to their hometown of Asheville, NC where Ann lived for the remainder of her life.

She was married to the late Norman Roy Anderson, Sr. for 60 years, and their family was their greatest joy. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her children, Jill Anderson, Norman ‘Andy’ Roy Anderson, Jr. (Michelle Anderson), Tina Anderson (Jean Lemay) of Quebec and Joy Anderson Gallion (William Anderson Gallion); her grandchildren, Carlee, Josi, Aubrey, Matthew, Kayla, Andrew, Marie-Hélène, Charles-Christophe, Julien, Lucien, Devin, Josh, Israel, and Summer; as well as 7 great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She was the sister of the late Don R. Cloninger and Rev. Fred Werhan.

She loved teaching. She taught at Enka High School for many years and worked at North Buncombe and Reynolds before she retired. During her career, she organized and accompanied students on educational trips to Europe annually for close to 20 years.

ABCCM was created in Ann and Norman’s living room at a gathering of friends and ministers of different faiths in 1969. She believed in the power of community, of people helping people.

Ann was a faithful and active member of Abernethy United Methodist Church where she enjoyed working with the youth and, in her later years, volunteering at the B.E.A.R. Closet.

Ann was a kind and gentle soul who loved life and truly loved people without reservation. She loved animals, enjoyed nature (especially flowers), and treasured the friendships she had with others. Ann was an exceptional woman who touched and inspired many lives.

A celebration of life will be held for Ann at 2:oo pm on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Abernethy United Methodist Church in Asheville, followed by a gathering of family and friends in the church social hall.

For those who wish to do so, contributions in Ann’s memory may be made to Abernethy United Methodist Church, 1418 Patton Ave, Asheville NC 28806; (828) 254-2612; www.abernethy.org or to ABCCM, 24 Cumberland Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801; (828) 259-5300; www.abccm.org