Anna Farris

Anna Gallaher Farris died peacefully on November 4, 2024. She was a retired academic Dean, and later in life a highly active participant in the Democratic Party. She worked in President Clinton’s Administration during his two terms, overseeing correspondence, among other duties, in the East Wing. Anna was born in Lockesburg, Arkansas on October 26, 1929. She was the eldest of three children of Mabel Elkins and Raymond Park Gallaher.

Anna entered Ouachita Baptist College in 1947 and met her husband, Jack D. Farris, recently returned from serving in the Navy during WWII. The two married in 1948, and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan where Anna began her early career as librarian, while Jack received his Master’s degree and ultimately became a professor of English, and an author. With their two sons, Steven Bernard (1/10/54-5/16/2009) and Thomas ‘Chad’ (12/19/54-11/4/1992) Farris, they lived in Vermont, and New Mexico, before returning to the South in 1961 when they moved to Memphis TN. There Anna was first librarian, later assuming the position of Registrar, at the Memphis Academy of Art while Jack began teaching at Southwestern at Memphis, now Rhodes College. Their daughter, Carrie Ann Farris, was born in Memphis when her brothers were young teens. 

Anna left the Art Academy to become Administrator of the Dean of Students office at Rhodes College. She served in this role for several years. A lifelong lover of books, she was also a keen-eyed editor, and served as first reader for all of her husband Jack’s manuscripts, as well as providing important research for his historical novels. For a time she worked with a mobile library unit for RIF (Reading is Fundamental), delivering books to underprivileged children who were unable to attend school. 

In the early 1980’s, Anna began working for the British Studies at Oxford program, which allowed undergrads from American colleges and Universities to study at St John’s College, Oxford University, England. Ultimately attaining the position of Associate Dean, Anna loved her time in England and remained in this role until the late 1980’s. Anna established many lasting friendships with distinguished Oxford scholars, as well as the staff at St. John’s College and the American faculty who led seminars on the program. She was as comfortable with staff and college scouts as she was in the homes of the English scholars and aristocrats who befriended her. Upon her retirement from academia, she dedicated her career to the Democratic Party.

Her husband Jack died in Silver Spring, Maryland shortly after their 50th wedding anniversary. She remained in Washington, DC working in the Clinton Administration until 2000, then returned to Memphis, and eventually her home state of Arkansas, where she is especially well known and lauded for her work over many years with the Democratic Party, receiving numerous awards and accolades. She was named Arkansas Democratic Woman of the Year in 2007. She served as an Arkansas State Delegate for John Kerry in 2004, and for President Obama in 2008 and 2012. 

Anna remained incredibly active into her nineties, enjoying a great deal of travel, including attending a granddaughter’s wedding in Italy at age 92. Besides her husband Jack, Anna was predeceased by her brother ‘Sonny’ Gallaher, and both of her sons, Steve and Chad Farris. She is survived by a daughter, Carrie Ann Farris, of New York; a sister, Peggy Briggs of Arkadelphia, AR; many nieces and nephews; two former daughters-in-law, Patti Farris Cook of Camden AR, and Anne Farris Rosen of Washington DC; six grandchildren: Slade Duncan, Casey Morgan and Christina Dawn Farris, Emily Woods and Raymond Elkins Farris, Anna Jacqueline Pravdica; and six great-grandchildren. 

The family extends its deepest gratitude to Twin Rivers nursing home, and Elite healthcare. Many supported Anna during her final years, most especially our dear friend Claudia Beach, whose unparalleled care and selflessness will never be forgotten.

A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Arkadelphia on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at noon.

Memorials may be made to the Jack & Anna Farris Scholarship, Rhodes College, 2000 N. Parkway, Memphis, TN 38112 or to the Democratic Party of Arkansas, 1300 W. Capitol Ave., Little Rock, AR 72201.