Ann Spragins, born Barbara Ann Powell, to Mildred and John Powell on June 4, 1940 in Memphis, Tennessee, passed away peacefully with family by her side on February 15, 2026. She was a beloved mother, stepmother, grandmother, sister and friend.
Raised in Senatobia, Mississippi, the middle child between two brothers, Ann embraced the simplicity and charm of life in a small town and kept connections there throughout her life. Always up for an adventure, it was told that she once headed to Graceland with friends and met the King himself, but declined an invitation to stay and roller skate, on account of needing to get back home to their mothers.
After graduating co-valedictorian of Senatobia high school she enrolled at Mississippi College for Women before completing her studies at the University of Mississippi. After graduation she set sail with friends on the Queen Elizabeth, bound for Europe, encountering her next brush with fame, Gregory Peck, while en route. This was Ann’s first trip overseas, but indeed not her last. Shortly after that trip she began her short career in teaching in Gulfport, Mississippi, though she never left her occupation of engaging with children, especially her grandchildren. She always said yes to a card game and relished any conversation with them.
She married the late Hal Spragins in 1965 and quickly embraced the title of “Reno”, coined by Hal’s sons, Scot and John, who she loved fiercely. (The name Reno stuck, and would be used by all her grandchildren and their friends who made their way into her orbit). Ann and Hal lived in Orlando, Florida, where they together welcomed two more sons, Alan and David. Ann employed the tactics of hosing down boys after a good rotten orange fight and tolerated a lot of mischief, including briefly housing a cougar cub, brought home from a publicity stunt at the car dealership that Hal owned. The friendships forged in the Orlando community lasted a lifetime, as did the memories.
The family moved to Memphis in the mid-1970s, where Ann went to work forming new lifelong friendships. She kept her social calendar full and her mind sharp until the very end of her life. She worked over 20 years for Methodist Hospital and, though content to enjoy life in her community, she never passed up an opportunity to travel, whether with friends to Ireland and Montana, to visit family in the Pacific Northwest or to reconnect with old friends in Florida and any place in between. There wasn’t much she wasn’t willing to try, but not always completely embrace, including water
and snow skiing, helming a sailboat, snowmobiling in Yellowstone and four wheeling in the Utah desert, just to name a few. She was fascinated by people and was always at the ready to engage in interesting conversation. She insisted on being dropped off at the airport hours before departure so that she could “people watch”. It was a delight to pick her up from the airport so that we could hear the life tales of whoever she sat next to on the plane.
Ever a card player, Ann used the game of bridge to form community, forge lifelong friendships and keep her mind remarkably sharp throughout her life. She played competitively, but more importantly it brought joy, laughter and many a late night around her kitchen table. Many tales from
that table aren’t fit to print right here. Everyone was welcome at that table, even if you didn’t play bridge. Grandchildren got their start with Old Maid and Go Fish, before moving on to Skip-Bo and beyond. Any of life’s worries seemed lighter with the suggestion of “let’s play a game.” If you knew Ann, you loved her. We will miss her story-telling, charm and the way in which she delightfully laughed at herself. There are countless ways she will live on in the hearts of her family.
Ann is survived by her sons Alan (Nancy) of Seattle, Washington and David (Sherri) of Oxford, Mississippi; stepsons Scot (Vicky) of Oxford, Mississippi and John (Audrey) of Newnan, Georgia; six grandchildren, Ann Olivia, Andrew, Rachel, Claire, Garrett and Jack Spragins; four stepgrandchildren, Hank, Hunter, Marianna and Janey Rose Spragins; and two step-great granddaughters, Haley and Smith Spragins.
She was pre-deceased by her brother Fletcher and is survived by her brother John (Gloria) Powell.
A celebration of life will be held at the Ridgeway Country Club on March 27 from 1-3pm. The family will have a private graveside service in Coldwater, Mississippi.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider a donation to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
