Anna Ruth Walden Posey

Mrs. Anna Ruth Walden Posey, age 89, passed away Thursday, November 24, 2022, in Mena, Arkansas at home.

She was born July 23, 1933, near Lindsey, Oklahoma, to Joseph Clifton Walden and Virgie Estell Fussell Walden.

Anna attended Bethany Nazarene College for a year, where she met Lloyd Posey. They courted while she also completed a year of nursing school. On June 14, 1953, Anna and Lloyd tied the knot in a double wedding with Lloyd’s sister, Dorothy, and his best friend, Charles.

Anna worked as first secretary of the Christian Medical Society in Chicago, and then she took time off to raise her young children, Sherry and Philip. She worked in health-related jobs intermittently until she retired, which included being a doctor’s secretary and assistant as well as a medical transcriptionist. Anna also fulfilled the role of pastor’s wife for many years. After retirement she sacrificially cared for her mother until she passed at age 104. Anna was a devoted wife and companion to her husband of over 68 years. She was also a woman of high energy! After retirement Anna and Lloyd built their dream home together, and Anna planted many roses on their property in keeping with her lifelong love for flowers.

Anna encouraged the musical giftings of her daughter and granddaughters. She loved to hear them sing and play the piano. Although Anna never played an instrument herself, she loved singing and participated in the church choir. Anna has affectionately been known as “Mom-o” by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who love her dearly! They will always remember Mom-o for her deep love and fierce loyalty—her determination to do whatever it took to see them safe, healthy, happy and thriving, no matter the cost! Mom-o was a selfless grandmother, telling the grands many bedtime stories about her own childhood, taking them on walks to the park to play, showing them knick-knacks and other family treasures from her cedar chest, and bringing to life her collection of dolls, as she tenderly spoke of each one with affection and appreciation. Mom-o will also be remembered by her grandchildren for emphasizing exercise, good hygiene, nutrition through healthy eating—and the importance of pinching pennies by reusing napkins, bags, etc., and saving many things—a habit deeply ingrained in her from the Depression era. Mom-o always babied her pets, her flowers, and best of all—her grandchildren. She will be missed by all who loved her!

Anna is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ellis Lloyd Posey Jr., her four brothers—James Walden, Howard Walden, Lee Walden and Kenneth Walden—her son, Philip Gordon Posey, and her grandson, Timothy Todd Chapin.

She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Lynne Chapin of Mena, Arkansas, plus nine living grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 30 at 1:00 p.m. at the Mena First United Methodist Church. Funeral service will take place on the same day at 2:00 p.m., with interment following at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Mena, Arkansas.

Reverend Scott Stewart will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

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