Ann Darley Rich

Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory announces funeral services for Mrs. Ann Darley Rich, age 86, of Blairsville, who passed away in the morning on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at her home.

Mrs. Rich was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in St. Joseph's Hospital, a daughter of the late N.V. Darley and the late Jessie May Montgomery Darley. She moved to Tampa, Florida as a young child. Ann attended Hillsborough High School in Tampa until grade 11. She attended and graduated from Brown High School in Atlanta where she met her husband in math class - and it was love at first sight! They married in November of 1949 and were married for 42 years. Ann loved cake baking and decorating, and always seemed to have a cake in the oven for someone whether it be her children, grandchildren, neighbors or co-workers. She went back to work in 1968 at Rich Computer Center at Georgia Tech as a key-punch operator. Ann quickly excelled at her job, became the computer tape librarian, and was the first woman at Tech to operate the huge computer system. As a trailblazer, she started a petition for women employees on the campus to wear pantsuits to work. She succeeded at this, and retired after 22 years. She was a charter member of Dogwood Hills Baptist Church in East Point, Georgia. In 1992, she moved with her husband to Blairsville. Ann volunteered as a pink lady at Union General Hospital, regularly worked the blood drive, and volunteered at the Union County Historical Society. Ann loved staying busy. She joined and was an active member of Choestoe Baptist Church, and served as the Church Treasurer for 11 years. Ann was an avid football fan and loved her Dawgs and Falcons. Ann was a strong role model for her family, and women in general. She showed kindness to everyone she met. She was much loved and will be missed. Besides her parents, she had been preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Bluford Billy Rich; her infant son, Bluford Billy Rich, Jr.; and a brother, Franklin Darley.

Family members left behind to treasure her memory are daughters: Kathy Childs, Deborah Leach, Jane Nichelson (Will Owens), and Judy Kennedy (Devin); grandchildren: Shannon, Jennifer, Michael, Chrissy, Joe, Jessie, Emily, Robert, Julianne, Woody, Megan, and Jarred. Fifteen great grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services have been scheduled for Monday, August 14, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., to be held at Choestoe Baptist Church. Burial will be in New Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery. The following gentlemen have been selected to serve as pallbearers: Jarred Leach, Joe Kidd, Robert Beaver, Woody Childs, Sean Lickey, and Brandon Berry. Visitation at the funeral home will be held on Sunday evening, August 13, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. until 9 p.m.

If you wish, memorial contributions may be made to Choestoe Baptist Church Building Fund, 41 Choestoe Church Road, Blairsville, Georgia 30512.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville. Please share your condolences and fond memories with the Rich family on our website, www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.