Obituary
Ann A. Hollinsworth, 96, of Lakeland Lane (Jackson, MS) a retired secretary for the Boy Scouts of America, died Friday of heart failure at Lakeland Health Care Center.
Graveside services are 2 p.m. Sunday in Memphis Memorial Park in Memphis.
Mrs. Hollinsworth, a Meridian native, had been a Memphis resident for 40 years and had lived in Jackson for 30 years. She was a former member of Madison Heights United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Character Builders Sunday school class.
She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. After retiring as a secretary of the Boy Scouts of America, she became a joint owner of Peter-Fran's Youngland, a childrens clothing store.
She was an accomplished artist and displayed her works in the Memphis Area.
Survivors include: sisters Earline Atwood of Jackson, Ruby Atwood Gabriel and Audette A. Shinaberger, both of Columbia, S.C.
Wright-Ferguson Funeral Home in Jackson had charge.
(Clarion Ledger, October 15, 1995)
_________________________________________________
Ann Atwood Hollinsworth was the one time lesbian lover of Georgia Tann, the infamous "Baby Thief" of Memphis. Georgia was the director of the Tennessee Childrens' Home Society in Memphis, which was eventually closed as a result of illegal kidnapping, fraudulent documentation, trafficking, murder and selling of children.
Ann knew the Tann family from childhood in Hickory, Mississippi, being raised in Meridian herself. In the 1920's, Ann and Georgia worked together at the Kate McWillie Powers Receiving Home for Children in Jackson, which was affiliated with the Mississippi Children's Home Society.
Ann moved to Memphis with Georgia in 1924. Ann had given birth to a son, Jack, around that time, and Georgia soon adopted a daughter, June. Around this time, Ann Atwood, changed her name to Ann Atwood Hollinsworth, most likely to give the appearance of being widowed or divorced after the birth of a child out of wedlock.
Although Ann, Georgia, Jack and June were a family unit, Georgia Tann legally adopted Ann Atwood Hollinsworth as her daughter on August 2, 1943, in Dyer County, Tennessee. This was an often used practice during those days, to provide some survivor rights to gay couples in the early part of the 20th century.
Ann was never officially employed by Georgia or the Tennessee Childrens' Home Society, but often volunteered at the home performing secretarial services, and escorting children throughout the county to their adopted homes. Ann worked as a secretary for the Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts of America, during much of her time in Memphis.
_______________________________________
I can see that you've put a lot of hard work into the memorials that you've established and maintain on the findagrave.com website. It is possible that had you not posted about my Great Aunt Ann Hollinsworth, I may have never had the opportunity to see her final resting place so thank you for that.
Realizing the tremendous pain and suffering that Georgia Tann and her crew put many families through must be recognized as history, yet there is another side of my Great Aunt Ann Hollinsworth that hasn't been touched on, leading your readers to believe only that Ann was a horrible person and who lived her entire life doing horrific things.
I think it's important for you to know that Ann had a family that loved and cared for her very deeply. In fact, the Ann Hollinsworth that I knew, was a very loving, adoring Aunt that cared very much about others. Until her son's tragic death, she had been an adoring and doting mother, was an accomplished artist and was very generous with her time and her gifts. The Ann I knew, sent all of the children in my family very fine clothing for special occasions and graciously hosted us when we would visit her in Jackson.
Ann, as well as her siblings, are the foundation layers that have propagated our family to where we are today, a family built on love, compassion, generosity and the understanding of others. In this day and time, you don't see that very often and I consider this a tremendous gift, handed down, in part, from Ann Atwood Hollinsworth.
I wasn't around during the time when Ann came to know the Tann family, but I strongly suspect that Miss Tann preyed upon my vulnerable Aunt and manipulated her into one of her cronies. Ann and her siblings were all split up when they were young, they were dirt poor and I'm sure Miss Tann found great opportunity in these circumstances.
All of this brings me to the sad truth about Ann Atwood Hollinsworth's memorial that you've created, your readers get to hear about the terrible part of her life, never having the opportunity to know that she was much more than this and to so many.
Regards,
Laurie Gabriel
Ann A. Hollinsworth, 96, of Lakeland Lane (Jackson, MS) a retired secretary for the Boy Scouts of America, died Friday of heart failure at Lakeland Health Care Center.
Graveside services are 2 p.m. Sunday in Memphis Memorial Park in Memphis.
Mrs. Hollinsworth, a Meridian native, had been a Memphis resident for 40 years and had lived in Jackson for 30 years. She was a former member of Madison Heights United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Character Builders Sunday school class.
She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. After retiring as a secretary of the Boy Scouts of America, she became a joint owner of Peter-Fran's Youngland, a childrens clothing store.
She was an accomplished artist and displayed her works in the Memphis Area.
Survivors include: sisters Earline Atwood of Jackson, Ruby Atwood Gabriel and Audette A. Shinaberger, both of Columbia, S.C.
Wright-Ferguson Funeral Home in Jackson had charge.
(Clarion Ledger, October 15, 1995)
_________________________________________________
Ann Atwood Hollinsworth was the one time lesbian lover of Georgia Tann, the infamous "Baby Thief" of Memphis. Georgia was the director of the Tennessee Childrens' Home Society in Memphis, which was eventually closed as a result of illegal kidnapping, fraudulent documentation, trafficking, murder and selling of children.
Ann knew the Tann family from childhood in Hickory, Mississippi, being raised in Meridian herself. In the 1920's, Ann and Georgia worked together at the Kate McWillie Powers Receiving Home for Children in Jackson, which was affiliated with the Mississippi Children's Home Society.
Ann moved to Memphis with Georgia in 1924. Ann had given birth to a son, Jack, around that time, and Georgia soon adopted a daughter, June. Around this time, Ann Atwood, changed her name to Ann Atwood Hollinsworth, most likely to give the appearance of being widowed or divorced after the birth of a child out of wedlock.
Although Ann, Georgia, Jack and June were a family unit, Georgia Tann legally adopted Ann Atwood Hollinsworth as her daughter on August 2, 1943, in Dyer County, Tennessee. This was an often used practice during those days, to provide some survivor rights to gay couples in the early part of the 20th century.
Ann was never officially employed by Georgia or the Tennessee Childrens' Home Society, but often volunteered at the home performing secretarial services, and escorting children throughout the county to their adopted homes. Ann worked as a secretary for the Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts of America, during much of her time in Memphis.
_______________________________________
I can see that you've put a lot of hard work into the memorials that you've established and maintain on the findagrave.com website. It is possible that had you not posted about my Great Aunt Ann Hollinsworth, I may have never had the opportunity to see her final resting place so thank you for that.
Realizing the tremendous pain and suffering that Georgia Tann and her crew put many families through must be recognized as history, yet there is another side of my Great Aunt Ann Hollinsworth that hasn't been touched on, leading your readers to believe only that Ann was a horrible person and who lived her entire life doing horrific things.
I think it's important for you to know that Ann had a family that loved and cared for her very deeply. In fact, the Ann Hollinsworth that I knew, was a very loving, adoring Aunt that cared very much about others. Until her son's tragic death, she had been an adoring and doting mother, was an accomplished artist and was very generous with her time and her gifts. The Ann I knew, sent all of the children in my family very fine clothing for special occasions and graciously hosted us when we would visit her in Jackson.
Ann, as well as her siblings, are the foundation layers that have propagated our family to where we are today, a family built on love, compassion, generosity and the understanding of others. In this day and time, you don't see that very often and I consider this a tremendous gift, handed down, in part, from Ann Atwood Hollinsworth.
I wasn't around during the time when Ann came to know the Tann family, but I strongly suspect that Miss Tann preyed upon my vulnerable Aunt and manipulated her into one of her cronies. Ann and her siblings were all split up when they were young, they were dirt poor and I'm sure Miss Tann found great opportunity in these circumstances.
All of this brings me to the sad truth about Ann Atwood Hollinsworth's memorial that you've created, your readers get to hear about the terrible part of her life, never having the opportunity to know that she was much more than this and to so many.
Regards,
Laurie Gabriel
Obituary
Ann A. Hollinsworth, 96, of Lakeland Lane (Jackson, MS) a retired secretary for the Boy Scouts of America, died Friday of heart failure at Lakeland Health Care Center.
Graveside services are 2 p.m. Sunday in Memphis Memorial Park in Memphis.
Mrs. Hollinsworth, a Meridian native, had been a Memphis resident for 40 years and had lived in Jackson for 30 years. She was a former member of Madison Heights United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Character Builders Sunday school class.
She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. After retiring as a secretary of the Boy Scouts of America, she became a joint owner of Peter-Fran's Youngland, a childrens clothing store.
She was an accomplished artist and displayed her works in the Memphis Area.
Survivors include: sisters Earline Atwood of Jackson, Ruby Atwood Gabriel and Audette A. Shinaberger, both of Columbia, S.C.
Wright-Ferguson Funeral Home in Jackson had charge.
(Clarion Ledger, October 15, 1995)
_________________________________________________
Ann Atwood Hollinsworth was the one time lesbian lover of Georgia Tann, the infamous "Baby Thief" of Memphis. Georgia was the director of the Tennessee Childrens' Home Society in Memphis, which was eventually closed as a result of illegal kidnapping, fraudulent documentation, trafficking, murder and selling of children.
Ann knew the Tann family from childhood in Hickory, Mississippi, being raised in Meridian herself. In the 1920's, Ann and Georgia worked together at the Kate McWillie Powers Receiving Home for Children in Jackson, which was affiliated with the Mississippi Children's Home Society.
Ann moved to Memphis with Georgia in 1924. Ann had given birth to a son, Jack, around that time, and Georgia soon adopted a daughter, June. Around this time, Ann Atwood, changed her name to Ann Atwood Hollinsworth, most likely to give the appearance of being widowed or divorced after the birth of a child out of wedlock.
Although Ann, Georgia, Jack and June were a family unit, Georgia Tann legally adopted Ann Atwood Hollinsworth as her daughter on August 2, 1943, in Dyer County, Tennessee. This was an often used practice during those days, to provide some survivor rights to gay couples in the early part of the 20th century.
Ann was never officially employed by Georgia or the Tennessee Childrens' Home Society, but often volunteered at the home performing secretarial services, and escorting children throughout the county to their adopted homes. Ann worked as a secretary for the Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts of America, during much of her time in Memphis.
_______________________________________
I can see that you've put a lot of hard work into the memorials that you've established and maintain on the findagrave.com website. It is possible that had you not posted about my Great Aunt Ann Hollinsworth, I may have never had the opportunity to see her final resting place so thank you for that.
Realizing the tremendous pain and suffering that Georgia Tann and her crew put many families through must be recognized as history, yet there is another side of my Great Aunt Ann Hollinsworth that hasn't been touched on, leading your readers to believe only that Ann was a horrible person and who lived her entire life doing horrific things.
I think it's important for you to know that Ann had a family that loved and cared for her very deeply. In fact, the Ann Hollinsworth that I knew, was a very loving, adoring Aunt that cared very much about others. Until her son's tragic death, she had been an adoring and doting mother, was an accomplished artist and was very generous with her time and her gifts. The Ann I knew, sent all of the children in my family very fine clothing for special occasions and graciously hosted us when we would visit her in Jackson.
Ann, as well as her siblings, are the foundation layers that have propagated our family to where we are today, a family built on love, compassion, generosity and the understanding of others. In this day and time, you don't see that very often and I consider this a tremendous gift, handed down, in part, from Ann Atwood Hollinsworth.
I wasn't around during the time when Ann came to know the Tann family, but I strongly suspect that Miss Tann preyed upon my vulnerable Aunt and manipulated her into one of her cronies. Ann and her siblings were all split up when they were young, they were dirt poor and I'm sure Miss Tann found great opportunity in these circumstances.
All of this brings me to the sad truth about Ann Atwood Hollinsworth's memorial that you've created, your readers get to hear about the terrible part of her life, never having the opportunity to know that she was much more than this and to so many.
Regards,
Laurie Gabriel
Ann A. Hollinsworth, 96, of Lakeland Lane (Jackson, MS) a retired secretary for the Boy Scouts of America, died Friday of heart failure at Lakeland Health Care Center.
Graveside services are 2 p.m. Sunday in Memphis Memorial Park in Memphis.
Mrs. Hollinsworth, a Meridian native, had been a Memphis resident for 40 years and had lived in Jackson for 30 years. She was a former member of Madison Heights United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Character Builders Sunday school class.
She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. After retiring as a secretary of the Boy Scouts of America, she became a joint owner of Peter-Fran's Youngland, a childrens clothing store.
She was an accomplished artist and displayed her works in the Memphis Area.
Survivors include: sisters Earline Atwood of Jackson, Ruby Atwood Gabriel and Audette A. Shinaberger, both of Columbia, S.C.
Wright-Ferguson Funeral Home in Jackson had charge.
(Clarion Ledger, October 15, 1995)
_________________________________________________
Ann Atwood Hollinsworth was the one time lesbian lover of Georgia Tann, the infamous "Baby Thief" of Memphis. Georgia was the director of the Tennessee Childrens' Home Society in Memphis, which was eventually closed as a result of illegal kidnapping, fraudulent documentation, trafficking, murder and selling of children.
Ann knew the Tann family from childhood in Hickory, Mississippi, being raised in Meridian herself. In the 1920's, Ann and Georgia worked together at the Kate McWillie Powers Receiving Home for Children in Jackson, which was affiliated with the Mississippi Children's Home Society.
Ann moved to Memphis with Georgia in 1924. Ann had given birth to a son, Jack, around that time, and Georgia soon adopted a daughter, June. Around this time, Ann Atwood, changed her name to Ann Atwood Hollinsworth, most likely to give the appearance of being widowed or divorced after the birth of a child out of wedlock.
Although Ann, Georgia, Jack and June were a family unit, Georgia Tann legally adopted Ann Atwood Hollinsworth as her daughter on August 2, 1943, in Dyer County, Tennessee. This was an often used practice during those days, to provide some survivor rights to gay couples in the early part of the 20th century.
Ann was never officially employed by Georgia or the Tennessee Childrens' Home Society, but often volunteered at the home performing secretarial services, and escorting children throughout the county to their adopted homes. Ann worked as a secretary for the Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts of America, during much of her time in Memphis.
_______________________________________
I can see that you've put a lot of hard work into the memorials that you've established and maintain on the findagrave.com website. It is possible that had you not posted about my Great Aunt Ann Hollinsworth, I may have never had the opportunity to see her final resting place so thank you for that.
Realizing the tremendous pain and suffering that Georgia Tann and her crew put many families through must be recognized as history, yet there is another side of my Great Aunt Ann Hollinsworth that hasn't been touched on, leading your readers to believe only that Ann was a horrible person and who lived her entire life doing horrific things.
I think it's important for you to know that Ann had a family that loved and cared for her very deeply. In fact, the Ann Hollinsworth that I knew, was a very loving, adoring Aunt that cared very much about others. Until her son's tragic death, she had been an adoring and doting mother, was an accomplished artist and was very generous with her time and her gifts. The Ann I knew, sent all of the children in my family very fine clothing for special occasions and graciously hosted us when we would visit her in Jackson.
Ann, as well as her siblings, are the foundation layers that have propagated our family to where we are today, a family built on love, compassion, generosity and the understanding of others. In this day and time, you don't see that very often and I consider this a tremendous gift, handed down, in part, from Ann Atwood Hollinsworth.
I wasn't around during the time when Ann came to know the Tann family, but I strongly suspect that Miss Tann preyed upon my vulnerable Aunt and manipulated her into one of her cronies. Ann and her siblings were all split up when they were young, they were dirt poor and I'm sure Miss Tann found great opportunity in these circumstances.
All of this brings me to the sad truth about Ann Atwood Hollinsworth's memorial that you've created, your readers get to hear about the terrible part of her life, never having the opportunity to know that she was much more than this and to so many.
Regards,
Laurie Gabriel
Family Members
Siblings
See more Hollinsworth or Atwood memorials in:
- Memorial Park Cemetery Hollinsworth or Atwood
- Memphis Hollinsworth or Atwood
- Shelby County Hollinsworth or Atwood
- Tennessee Hollinsworth or Atwood
- USA Hollinsworth or Atwood
- Find a Grave Hollinsworth or Atwood
