Ann J. Oakes of Hensley, Arkansas was born February 24, 1933 and she passed on from this earth, reuniting with her mother, father and her dear husband Alton on May 17, 2025. She lived a long and fulfilling life of 92 years surrounded by her family and her many church friends. She was born in Camilla, Georgia to Thomas and Sally Jones where they lived a self-sufficient life on the family farm. Her upbringing instilled in her a love of the outdoors, a good day's work and country cooking at its best. As a young adult she moved to Greensboro, North Carolina where she met her husband of 62 years, Alton Matthew Oakes, Jr. In 1977 the family moved to Sheridan, Arkansas where they stayed for the remainder of their lives.

Ann and Alton were faithful churchgoers from the beginning of their marriage and attended as often as the church doors were open. They were members of the First Baptist Church of Sheridan where she served faithfully, including a past position as church secretary.  She was a member of the Fidelis ladies Sunday school class and the Primetimers.

She loved her community and spent many hours volunteering her time with the Grant County Election Committee, the Grant County Republican party, the Literacy Council of Grant County, and as a mentor at The Blessing House Pregnancy Support Center. Her family was also well known for the Oakes Berry Farm where family and friends alike came to pick their fresh strawberries.

In addition to her parents, Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Alton Oakes, her siblings Clarence Jones, Shelly Jones, Doris Bush, Datha Simpson,   grandson, Aaron Oakes and her beloved dog Maggie. She is survived by her sister, Sarah Hennis; children Terry Oakes and wife Judy, Tommy Oakes, Shelly Oakes, Renee Lawson and husband Arnie; grandchildren include Whitley Oakes and Kathryn Martindale, Scott and Autumn Oakes, Betty and Seth Jones, Elizabeth and Logan Gott, Alexandra and Geoff Schoeffel, with 5 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

She was a homemaker, a wife, and a loving mother to her four children. She will be remembered for being a great cook and conversationalist, reading her bible, fishing, gardening, and spending time around the kitchen table with her family.

Funeral service will be Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 10:00 A.M.at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home with Bro. Thomas Sewell officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday at the funeral home from 6:00-8:00 P.M. A private family interment will be held after the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church in Sheridan or the American Cancer Society.