Annie Laura Conner Darby Chesnut was born Jan. 18, 1918 in Morgan County to Emory E. and Beverly L. Blasingame Conner. She was first married to Olin Lemuel Darby who died in 1945 leaving her with a 5-year-old son and expecting a second son in October. She remained a widow and sole support of her children until 1950 when she married Charles Stewart (Chink) Chesnut. They moved to Chesnut Farm on Chesnut Road where their son Charles was born. She resided there until Chink died and her health declined.
One of 10 children, Ann developed a strong work ethic at a very young age. She never believed in idle time and dedicated her time to her home, her family and her Livingston Elementary School family. She was an active member of Hopewell A.R. Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday school, volunteered in the nursery, belonged to the Women’s Circle and took great pride in maintaining the church and grounds. In addition to her other activities Ann enjoyed fishing, gardening, cooking and quilting with the Cotton Boll Quilt Guild.
Remaining to cherish her memory are her children: Joel Eugene Darby, Covington; Larry Olin Darby (Jane), Edisto Island, South Carolina; and Charles Stewart Chesnut, Jr. (Penny), Chula. Grandchildren: Christina Darby Benton (Sidney), Covington; Amanda Darby Shires (Kevin), Alpharetta; Ashley Chesnut, Birmingham, Alabama.; Miles Darby (Kim), Blairsville, Pennsylvania.; Samantha Darby Glade, Guthrie, Indiana.; Joel Darby (Lori), Queen Creek, Arkansas.; and TJ Chesnut, Chula. One brother: Eugene Conner, Covington.
Ann was preceded in death by her two husbands, Olin Lemuel Darby and Charles Stewart Chesnut; her sisters: Lena Garrett, Mary Faulk, and Addie Moon; and brothers Clifford Conner, Clarence Conner, Ralph Conner, John Conner and James Conner.
The family is extremely grateful for the loving care during the last years of Ann’s life by the staff of Oxton Village of Social Circle (The Mews) and the staff of Homestead Hospice.
The family has requested that Ann’s long and blessed life be honored and remembered through a donation to Hopewell ARP Church Cemetery Fund, 155 Hopewell Church Road, Covington, GA. 30016 or to a charity of your choice.
A funeral service will be held Friday, Dec. 19, 2014 at 3 p.m. at Hopewell A.R. Presbyterian Church with Pastor Tanner Cline officiating. Interment immediately following the service at Hopewell A. R. Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from noon – 2:45 p.m. in the fellowship hall, light refreshments served. Condolences may be left at wheelerfuneralhome.com. Wheeler Funeral Home 11405 Brown Bridge Rd. Covington, GA. 30016 770-786-7111.
