In Memoriam: Anna “Ann” Lea McKay (1938-2024)

Anna “Ann” Lea McKay died Friday, April 26, 2024, at Heritage Greens Memory Care in Greensboro, North Carolina.

She was born in Rockingham, North Carolina, on February 28, 1938 (a date which she shared with legendary UNC basketball coach Dean Smith), to James Leroy and Thelma Marks McKay. Ann graduated in 1955 from Rockingham High School. Ann went on to become a registered nurse, graduating from Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in 1958.  Following nursing school, Ann pursued a career in anesthesia, graduating from North Carolina Baptist School of Nurse Anesthesia in 1963. She worked as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist at High Point Regional Hospital for 41 years, as well as many other area hospitals and medical facilities. Ann was an active member of the North Carolina Associate of Nurse Anesthetists, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology and the Wake Forest School of Medicine Nurse Anesthesia alumni program. She was very active as an athlete, always enjoying basketball, golf, and softball.  She was an avid UNC Tar Heel fan. Mostly she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially the kids. She was actively involved in her nieces’ and nephews’ lives, attending numerous ball games, dance recitals, and awards ceremonies. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church in High Point and a faithful member of the Pathfinders Sunday school class. Ann lived a life filled with God’s grace and love for everyone she encountered. No one was a stranger to Ann. She loved engaging with people. Most of all, her family members were her most cherished gifts in life.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Leo and Carolyn McKay and David McKay; sisters, Mary Etta and Ward Green, Ruby and Bernard Hudson, Esther and Charles Monroe.

Ann is survived by friend and caregiver, Cathy Briggs of High Point; sister-in-law, Lois Ann McKay of Rockingham; nieces and nephews, Sandy Monroe Terry (Jim) of Greenville, South Carolina, Donna Monroe Taylor (Ricky) of Spruce Pine, Joanne Monroe Taylor (Keith) of Rockingham, Susan Monroe Payne (Mark) of Colfax, Pamela Hudson Pederson (Rev. Dale) of Crouse, Jane Hudson Slagle (Guy) of Florence, South Carolina, Marianne McKay Thompson (Jay) of Charlotte, David McKay Jr. of Rockingham, and Jimmy McKay (Sherry) of Rockingham; seventeen great-nieces and nephews, and twenty-nine great-great-nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at Cumby Funeral Service in High Point.

A funeral service celebrating Ann’s life will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at First United Methodist Church in High Point.

For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 512 N. Man Street, High Point, NC 27262; or a charity of the donor’s choice.

This obituary was originally published on Cumby Family Funeral Service’s website.