Anne Connelly Cheney

The heavens brightened in the early hours of Saturday, January 18, when Anne Connelly
Cheney closed her sparkling blue eyes and left her earthly home of 95 years. Born to Harmon
and Christine Connelly on January 3, 1930, Anne grew up in Cuthbert, Georgia where she had
what she called a “miraculously marvelous” childhood. It was a small town but a big life. She
always loved her friends and would often tell of how she and her best friend, Dorothy Andrews,
would catch the train in Cuthbert after school for the nine mile trip to Dot’s home in Carnegie,
play for the afternoon, then hop back on the train to be home in time for dinner. Saturdays were
spent at the movies or sitting on the square. Graduating from Cuthbert High School (where she
was a proud member of Lady Purple Hurricanes basketball team), Anne followed in the
footsteps of her mother and grandmother and entered Brenau College in 1947. She was a
member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and secretary of the sophomore class. She transferred to
the University of Alabama for her junior and senior years, receiving her BA in education in 1951.
A lifelong lover of children, Anne began teaching 1st grade right away.

Huddie Lee Cheney was a visiting medical student in Cuthbert in the summer of 1952.
They were married in November of that year (despite his chartreuse pants). The young Dr. and
Mrs. Cheney moved to Thomasville with their two young sons in 1958. Just as she had loved
Cuthbert and her friends there, Anne loved Thomasville where she created a “miraculously
marvelous” childhood for her three children. She spent her time as a “homeroom mother”, a
cub scout leader, a Pink Lady at the hospital, a regular helper at the Crippled Children’s Clinic,
an assistant Girl Scout leader, a ladies’ circle and choir member at the First Presbyterian
Church, a member of the Archbold Women’s Auxillary, and a longtime member of Rambler
Rose Garden Club and the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America.

Predeceased by her husband Huddie Cheney, her brother and sister-in-law Gus and
Mary Helen Connelly, and her co-angel Bessie Johnson, Anne, Annie, Annie Rooney, Lockett,
Mrs. Cheney, Mama and Mymamom will be sorely missed by her sister-in-law, Betty Cheney
Watkins, her sons and daughters-in-law Huddie and Cathy Cheney and Stephen and Allison
Cheney, her daughter and son-in-law Julie and Doug McPherson, her ‘God-girl” Marjorie
Hackney Shaw, her grandchildren Stephen (Jessica) Cheney, Jr., Allen Cheney, Scott (Jordon)
Cheney, Anne McPherson, and Elise McPherson and her great-grandchildren Taylor, Libba,
Audrey, and Charlie.

Anne Cheney had a smile and ear for all she met. Her earthly life and that of her family
was made wonderful by all of her friends. Thank you to you all, and most especially to Ms.
Christine Hudson—an angel on earth.

Her family will greet friends on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 4:00-6:30 at the home of Stephen and Allison Cheney 106 Chukkars Dr. Thomasville, Ga. A private service will be held by her family at a later date.