Ann Hazelwood Gautier, 73, of 65 Lyle St., Franklin, and 806 S. Emerald Dr., Key Largo, Fla., passed away unexpectedly at Baptist Hospital in Miami, Fla., on Thursday, June 11, 2009.
She was born on May 17, 1936, in Fayetteville, Tenn., to the late Willie Dance Hazelwood and the late Anna Katherine Thompson Hazelwood. She resided most of her life in Miami before moving to Franklin full time in the seventies. She graduated from Miami Edison Senior High School in 1954 and received a bachelor of arts degree in English and history from the University of Miami, graduating with honors, in 1962.
She taught at both Miami Coral Park Senior High School and Southwest High School from 1962-1968 in Miami-Dade County Schools. She was also an active member, Sunday school teacher and volunteer at South Miami Lutheran Church for many years. In addition, she assisted her former husband in his law practice and all aspects of his business and political ventures.
Before leaving Miami, she began a second career as a consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics. Upon moving full time to North Carolina in 1976, she established the first Mary Kay sales unit in Franklin and advanced in the company to become the first senior sales director in Western North Carolina. Within a few years, she was awarded one of the first Mary Kay pink Buick Regal cars in N.C. for sales excellence and leadership. In 1984, she relocated to Bayonet Point, Fla., where she ended her education career as an English teacher at Hudson High School until her retirement in 2000. Her students especially enjoyed her enthusiasm and unique teaching style of integrating English with history and applying its relevance to world events and pop culture.
Upon retirement, she began dividing her time between her residences in Franklin and Key Largo to enjoy her children and five grandchildren whom she adored. During her time in Key Largo she became a Florida court certified Guardian Ad Litem and Child Advocate, a distinction which gave her much pride and satisfaction.
Ms. Gautier was a person of the highest moral character and personal integrity and set high standards for herself and others. She had a deep and abiding Christian faith and strongly influenced the lives of her family and friends. She had a perpetual optimism about life and advised others to "bloom where you are planted." She placed a high value on education and never stopped learning and always encouraged others to do the same. Throughout her life she had a great passion for reading and books, a love of gardening, swimming, fishing, classical music and playing bridge.
She is survived by her three children, Katherine Gautier Breedlove and husband Jim, Carolyn Gautier Chapman and husband Nick, all of Franklin, and Jefferson Davis Gautier Jr. of Tavernier, Fla.; five grandchildren, Jared Gautier Breedlove, Anne Laurel Breedlove, and Colin John Chapman of Franklin, and Tyler Davis Gautier and Alexis Hunter Gautier of Tavernier; her sister, Patricia Hazelwood Craig and husband Frank of Palmerton, Pa.; and two nephews.
Ms. Gautier was preceded in death by her former husband, Jefferson Davis Gautier Sr.; her brother, Ray Thompson Hazelwood; and a grandson, Connor Knowles Chapman.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, July 6, at St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church in Franklin. The family will receive friends one hour before the service.
The family suggests that memorials be made to a favorite children's charity or organization, Unity Village or Upper Keys Fast Pitch Softball.