Ann Strand

Georgia Ann Strand was born May 30, 1939, in Dublin, Texas to Clarence W. and Nellie Dorothy Land Hitch. She passed away on July 28, 2022. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Stamford where Ann lived most of the remainder of her life. She married the love of her life, Carlton “Sonny” Strand on July 26, 1955.

Ann loved the farm wife-life. She loved taking meals to the field during planting and harvesting. She loved gardening and all things flowers. She was a long-time member of the Stamford Garden Club. Ann loved people. She loved having guest in her home and helping on the meal crew at Orient Street Church of Christ, where she was a lifetime member. After the kids were grown, she worked at Kinney Furniture where she enjoyed assisting customers. Later she and Sonny moved to Abilene where she worked for State Farm Insurance for several years prior to them returning to Stamford.

One of her favorite events was the Western Art Show held annually during the Texas Cowboy Reunion. She worked as a volunteer greeting the artists as well as hanging the artwork since the show’s inception until 2018.

Ann is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Sonny, her parents, sister, Janice Wright, and brother, Wilbur Hitch and brother-in-law, George Grounds.

She is survived by three sisters; Doris Lowe of Albany, Carolyn Breedlove and husband Billy of Arizona, and Kay Stuard and husband Farrell of De Leon; sister-in-law, Cristina Grounds of Abilene; several nieces and nephews; her children; Buddy Strand and wife Joann; Hoby Strand and wife Kathy; Cheryl Rice and husband Jerry; 11 grandchildren; Eric Strand and wife Lindsay and their children Braylee, Hayden and Haze of Stamford; Todd Strand and wife Mandi and daughter, Mattie of Desdemona; Emily Strand of Killeen and her children, Kamarie, Kamylle, Tre’, and Cle’ Whitfield; Julie Courtney and husband Jesse of West and their children, Faith and Addysin; Rachael Kocian and husband Tim of West and sons, Caidn and Conner; Michael Strand and wife Crystal of Pflugerville and their children McKenna and Axl; Ember Strand of Houston and son, Walker; Colton Rice of Boerne, Callan Rice and wife Haylee of Stephenville and their children, Lyvlee Joy and Wake Able; Caleb Rice and wife Claire of Abilene (and baby Rice due in January); and Conner Rice of Anson; and a host of other relatives and friends. Of all the roles she filled, her favorite was being “Granny” to all her grandchildren and their friends.

The family will gather at Tankersley Funeral Home (807 Columbia) Sunday, July 31, 2022, from 4 to 6 p.m. for visitation. Graveside Rites will be at 10 a.m. Monday, August 1, 2022, at the Strand Cemetery East of Stamford followed by a 1 p.m. Memorial Services at the Orient Street Church of Christ under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given in honor of Ann to the Orient Street Church of Christ, PO Box 1031, Stamford, TX 79553.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.tankersleyfuneralhome.com .