Anna Bell Lane

Anna Bell Lane

Anna Bell Lane – Missionary, Teacher, Sister, Daughter, Aunt, Friend.  Born March 14, 1925 in Ludlow, Kentucky, she departed this life for eternity with the Lord on February 8, 2021, just weeks shy of her 96th birthday.  Anna Bell was the second of five children born to Ben and Nettie Lane.  After graduating from Dixie Heights High School, Anna Bell went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Asbury College, and master’s degrees from Asbury Seminary and the University of Cincinnati.  As a young woman, she felt called to serve as a missionary and followed that call to Costa Rica, where she spent fifteen years teaching.  Her sister Virginia worked alongside her for many of those years, both of them traversing rough terrain, sometimes on horseback, to bring education and Good News to the people they encountered.  For Anna Bell, these years proved to be among the most meaningful and fulfilling of her life.  Upon her return from Costa Rica, Anna Bell began her career as an elementary school teacher in Kenton County.  Through the years, when pressed by her nieces and nephews, she admitted to being strict at times but always fair.  It was clear that she loved teaching, and was the right Lane to learning for many, many children!  Anna Bell was a teacher but she was also a life-long student, especially of the Bible.  Thanks to the support from members of her beloved Wesley United Methodist Church (where she was baptized in 1925), she was able to stay actively involved even in her later years, participating in Bible studies and faithfully attending services.  She was grateful for the rides that were so generously offered week after week to make this possible, and for the care of her pastor, Rev. David Oliver.  Her church and her family were the two most important things in her life.Anna Bell took pleasure in simple things, like the peaceful beauty of sitting on her back porch.  On any given day, you might find her there enjoying the brush of a summer breeze through the trees, or the flowers she’d planted and coaxed into bloom, or the tomatoes grown to delicious proportions.  She loved her house on McAlpin Avenue, where she and her mother Nettie spent many happy years.  Anna Bell was a devoted caregiver for her mom, who died peacefully at home at the age of 106.  This was possiblelargely thanks to Anna Bell’s loving care.While Anna Bell was not as exuberant or talkative as her sisters, her quiet grace and her innate kindness were evident to all who knew her.  She bowed her head before every meal, whether at home or in a restaurant, was quick to smile, slow to anger, and always game for an outing with her sister, Lillian.  Ever generous with whatever she had to share, she was mindful of the needs of others and moved to respond with love.  Anna Bellenjoyed reflecting on the past, relishing stories from her childhood on the farm, especially those that included her father Ben, to whom she attributed her beautiful white hair. Anna Bell will be missed—but she has joined the faithful chorus of all those who have gone on before her.  She is survived by her loving sisters, Nettie Barnett and Lillian Ruehrwein, by her brother-in-law Ed Barnett, and by many adoring nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on February 19th at the Ronald B. Jones Funeral Home, 316 Elm Street, Ludlow, KY.  A brief visitation from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm is open to anyone, but COVID-19 protocol will be strictly enforced.  While the family greatly appreciates your support, please do not attend if you have been exposed to, or have been in recent contact with, someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.  Masks will be required for entry, and the number of attendees will be limited according to social distancing guidelines.  A private family service will commence at 1:00pm, followed by Christian burial at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, Ludlow, KY.