By DAISY WASHINGTON / Community Columnist

Approaching her ninth decade on this earth, Ann Head has had many great experiences.

Among her most memorable and rewarding is her time at Elvin Hill Elementary School.

After her retirement in 1997, she was replaced by Peg Hill.

“I enjoyed the children the most. Walking in the door each morning and being able to give hugs to the children was delightful,” she said with a laugh.

As a young mother raising four sons and a daughter, there was always something to do at home.

There were always neighborhood children going about the house,” she said, waving her hands from side to side. “It was a delightful time.”

For the past four years, Head has been involved in working with hospitalized veterans through her membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution.

A member of the Columbiana Culture Club, she continues her dedication to the youth in the community through activities that support local schools for the past 15 years.

School projects, feeding families at Ronald McDonald house, volunteering at UAB Hospital and the Arts Council are some of the ways Head is giving back to her community.

She has been a Meals on Wheels volunteer since its inception, and assists with packaging and delivering meals.

“It’s a wonderful program,” she said.

She is a Sunday School teacher at Columbiana United Methodist Church, where she became a member 60 years ago.

Head is involved extensively with the community and church family, from working summer Bible School, to delivering toys and clothes to parents of children during the holidays, singing on the choir, serving various committees and Women and Children Ministry.

Head has reached out her hands to help many in need across many decades.

She endeavored to install the same sense of service to others when she and her spouse Oliver raised the family.

“We wanted them to know about giving,” she said, pointing out that the children would assist them with selecting toys when they shopped to purchase toys for the Christmas toy charity.

She and Oliver have been married for 64 years, and have lived in their Columbiana home for the past 62 years.

Ann loves to garden and has transformed her yard into a floral paradise.

Outside of gardening, her hobbies and interests all center around those of her husband and children.

She also enjoys reading and going to sports games.

She has nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.