Ann L. Cother

Ann Long Cother went to be with our heavenly Father on January 24, 2024. Her passing was peaceful and calm, surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren.  Ann was born on March 22, 1931, to her parents, John A Long, Sr. and Thelma Barnes Long, of Crockett, Texas.  John Long, Sr. was a school Superintendent in Houston Co., Crockett and a Texas State Representative.  Her mother Thelma was also a school teacher for many years. Ann graduated high school at age 16 and entered college at Sam Houston State Teacher’s College, graduating at the age of 19. While in college, she was named Favorite Freshman, and was one of 6 Campus Beauties singled out for the campus Alcade annual by Bob Hope. She graduated with a degree in Music Education and taught school briefly before moving to Germany with her first husband, James B. Cartwright, who was stationed there briefly during the WWII occupation. While there, she taught school to the American children on base.  After Jim's 2 years of service were completed, the couple moved back to San Antonio, TX, where their first child was born.  Soon after, they relocated to North Little Rock, Arkansas.  Together, the couple had 5 children: Andy Cartwright (Nancy) of Denton, TX., Wayne Cartwright (Oksana) of NLR, Candice Cartwright Wright (Paul) of Sherwood, Clay Cartwright (Connie), of Tampa, FL., and Geoff Cartwright (Kim) of NLR.  Although the marriage ended in divorce, Ann soon met and married Don Cother, a local grocery owner in Sherwood.  With Don, Ann had her 6^th and last child, Scott Cother (Ellen), of N.L.R. Grandchildren include Craig, Josh and Michael James, Claire Cother, Michael (Misha) Cartwright, Yulia Batalina, Elizabeth Cartwright and Adam Cartwright. Great-grandchildren include Elijah, Silas and Luther Cartwright.  Ann also had several nieces and nephews in both Arkansas and Texas.   

Ann was a member of Park Hill Presbyterian Church, where she directed and founded the Bell Choir, for over 30 years. She taught Sunday School and served on several committees, as well as being a church Elder on the Session.  She taught elementary school at both Sherwood and Amboy elementary.   She was the first female Board member of the N.L.R Housing Authority and was instrumental in the building of the N.L.R. Willow House for elderly residents. She was a President of the North Little Rock Women’s Club, the North Little Rock Jaycettes and the NLR Progressive League. She often volunteered to model in style shows for these organizations, in order to raise money for various philanthropic causes.  In later years, she volunteered as a line dance teacher at the Hayes Center in N.L.R. taking her “Anna’s Bandana’s” group of 32 to dance at various nursing homes and other public gatherings.  She was also a Master Gardener, loved to play Rummikub with her friends on a weekly basis, and was an avid Arkansas Razorback fan.  But most of all, she was a loving wife and mother who loved her family above all else.