Anne Cheney, Ph.D., of Blacksburg, departed this life peacefully on Monday, December 17, 2001, after a brave fight against cancer. Born on November 1, 1944 in Birmingham, Ala., Anne was preceded in death by her father, Alan B. Cheney, Sr. and is survived by her mother, Billie Gunter Cheney of Oneonta, Ala. Also surviving are sisters, Celia Cheney Ellis, Lydia Cheney, Rebecca Cheney Knight and Edith Cheney Street; brothers, Alan B. Cheney, Jr., John Cheney and Lewis Cheney, as well as 13 nieces and nephews, numerous close friends, professional colleagues and former students, and her beloved cats, Lewis, Lydia and Jesse. Anne received her B.A. in English, minoring in music theory, from Birmingham-Southern College in 1966. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. in English from Florida State University in 1968 and 1971 respectively and began instructing English at Virginia Tech in 1968, becoming an associate professor in 1971. In March 2000, the university designated her Associate Professor Emeritus of English when Anne retired after 32 years of service to Virginia Tech. Anne's literary career began with the publication of Millay in Greenwich Village (1975) and continued throughout her life. In 1984 she published Lorraine Hansberry, a text still considered the definitive biography of the renowned playwright. Her next biography, Life and Letters of Jesse Hill Ford, a Southern Writer (1996), would gain her a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize in biography. In addition to biographies, Anne wrote poetry, publishing Dead Snakes, Cats and the IRS (1995), and The Burg and Other Poems (1998), collections of poetry by Anne and her students, who found poetic inspiration under her guidance. In 1997 she edited and published Ophelia's Legs and Other Poems by Theresa Gillespie, a memorial collection of poems by, for and about Anne's close friend and former student. Anne's lifelong love for music found expression with LifeFest, a local rock concert organized by Anne and her students in 1989. The funds raised by the successful concert, which featured numerous local musicians, as well as tee shirt and CD sales, were donated to support AIDS research and education. In 1992 she first launched The Literature of Rock and Roll, a widely popular English course she developed that combined her love of music and teaching, studying rock lyrics, a medium her students could relate to. Her love of music never wavered, and she left us all while listening to the music of Pink Floyd, surrounded by family and friend. Beyond teaching, Anne's service to Virginia Tech included President of the University Club (1983-1986), of which she was granted Lifetime Membership. Other professional memberships included the American Culture Association, where she served as Vice President from 1998-2000, the American Culture Association in the South, the Modern Language Association and the North Carolina / Virginia College English Association (president 1991-1992). Anne's accomplishments span 57 years, and would more than fill this space. She will be most remembered for her generous spirit, unwavering friendship, and devotion to her family, friends, cats and town. The hole she leaves in the hearts of all who loved her can never be filled. The family and close friends wish to express their sincere thanks for the caring attention from her medical staff and the friends near and far, who have lent their prayers and offers of support. "As driftwood hunts for rest-longing, I desired the sea...Pure ecstacy is vain-selfish, I must reject it and roll as the surf-forever." (Anne Cheney, 1956, from her first poem.) Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at 1 p.m. in the Christ Episcopal Church with the Rev. Clare Fischer-Davies officiating. Additional services and interment will follow later in the week in Alabama. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at the McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made on Anne's behalf to the Humane Society of Montgomery County, P.O. Box 287, Blacksburg, Va. 24063 or to the Alan B. Cheney Memorial Scholarship Fund of Birmingham-Southern College, Office of Development Services, 900 Arkadelphia Road, Birmingham, Ala. 35254. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.

The Roanoke Times, VA, Tuesday, December 18, 2001