Barbara Ann Hipsher Fair

Barbara Ann (Hipsher) Fair, age 77, passed away on November 19, 2010 in London, Kentucky at the Saint Joseph-London Hospital.

Ann, as she was known by all, was born on April 24, 1933 to the late John and Ethel P. Hipsher. She is preceded in death by her sisters: Georgia, Leila, Nelle, Mildred, Joyce (Fullwood) and Thelma (Fields); and her brothers: Lawrence, Jack, Bill, and Bruce. She was baptized at a young age and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Manchester. She attended the Manchester B School and graduated from the Lincoln Institute, an all-black boarding high school in Lincoln Ridge, Kentucky. Upon her graduation from Lincoln, she returned home to Manchester and was united in marriage to Edward Fair of Knoxville, Tennessee. She had two wonderful children, John Michael and Mechelle Jeanine, and two grandchildren, Aaron and Macy, who all brought her great joy and happiness.

Ann was known in her family and throughout her hometown as a great cook. Her family enjoyed her cooking and baking so much that arguments would sometimes take place over who would get the last clover roll, or who would be lucky enough to get the last jar of homemade apple butter, and in the end her grandchildren always won. She enjoyed showing her love through her cooking so much that she worked in the cafeteria at the Clay County High School for eighteen years before she retired. But she often said that the greatest rewards she enjoyed at the school was being able to work with the young people (that’s what she called the teenagers) to guide and advise them during their tender young years.

In addition to working and raising a family, Ann was very active in the community. She was (past) president of the Clay County High School Marching Band; (past) President of the Trailblazer Homemakers; member of the Clay County Homecoming Committee; member of the Garden Club of Kentucky; (past) member of the Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the local Red Hat Society. In addition, she was very instrumental in the extensive renovation of a school building which previously housed the last all-black segregated facility in Clay County, known as the “B” school.

Ann was a remarkable woman who lived her life to the fullest and enjoyed the company and love of her family and friends. She never met a stranger and was always ready with a smile, a helping hand and words of encouragement. Those who knew her, loved her.

She is survived by her husband, Edward; daughter, Mechelle Jeanine (Randall Zellars); son Mike Hipsher (Cindy); grandchildren, Aaron Michael Hipsher and Macy Rehanne Zellars; brother, Sam Hipsher; god-daughter, Sydney Combs; two special children, Lori Beth Sizemore and Lawrence Baker Lewis; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins that she loved very much.

Ann wanted to also recognize her very dear and special friends: Daisy Ann Thompson, Dorothy Sizemore, Jean Cobb, Becky Thomas, Mildred Garrison, Brenda Rice, Phyllis Robinson, Jerri McDaniel, Charlene Hobb, Penny Robinson and lots of her Red Hat friends; and two special care-givers: Dephia Wombles and Dusty Hensley.

“Don’t weep for me, laugh as we always do. Because I want you to keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wing. I am free.”

Funeral Services for Barbara Ann Hipsher Fair will be Monday, November 22nd, 2010 at 2 PM at the Rominger Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Hipsher Family Cemetery in Manchester, Kentucky.

Visitation will be Monday, November 22nd, after 11:30 AM at the Rominger Funeral Home Chapel.

Rominger Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.