Ann Anstead Cohn

Shirley Ann Anstead Cohn of Cleveland, MS, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2020, at Cleveland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  She was 84 years old.  

Ann was born on August 15, 1935, to Carl and Icy Butler Anstead, deceased, of Hammond, LA.  Ann was graduated from Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport in 1957, and upon graduation served as Director of Education at Jefferson Street United Methodist Church, Natchez, MS, where she met and then married her beloved husband, Joseph Leonard Cohn, Jr. on September 5, 1959.  She later served as Office Manager for N. Hunt Moore and Associates in Memphis, TN for many years.  She was a member of the Memphis Emmaus Community and an active member of St. Luke United Methodist Church.  Throughout her life, she served her church in numerous roles such as church treasurer, chairing various committees including Staff Parish Relations, and mission work.  Upon retirement, she and Leonard relocated to Cleveland from Arlington, TN.  Ann lived a life of faithful devotion to her family and her church. 

Leonard preceded Ann in death on January 7, 2014, after 54 years of Holy Matrimony.  She leaves three devoted children, Robin Boyles of Cleveland, MS, Lenny Cohn, of Hernando, MS, and Bethany Sansone, of Collierville, TN.  She also leaves two very special sons-in-law, Rick Boyles and Michael Sansone.  She will be greatly missed by her four grandchildren, Michelle Boyles Polen (Jeremy) of San Antonio, TX, Dillon Boyles of Cleveland, MS, Shelby Sansone Stephens (Zach) of Nashville, TN, and Adam Sansone, of Collierville, TN, and two great-grandchildren, Nicolas and Emily Polen of San Antonio, TX.  Ann is also survived by her sister, Kay Halbert (Elliott) of Kenner, LA.  She is preceded in death by her two brothers, Carl Z. Anstead and Ray Anstead, and sister, Nell Oates. 

Gifts in Ann’s memory may be made to Special Olympics in honor of Lenny Cohn, St. Luke United Methodist Church, American Cancer Society, or the charity of your choice.  A memorial service is not planned at this time due to COVID-19.