Anna Salter Asbury

Anna Cowart Salter Asbury, 92, of Opelika passed away peacefully on November 12, 2023, at Compassus Bethany House in Auburn. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday, November 14, at 1 p.m. CT in the sanctuary of First Methodist Church of Opelika (702 Avenue A). Visitation will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Born in Opelika on May 5, 1931, Anna was the daughter of Judson H. and Lucy H. Salter. While a student at Clift High School/Opelika High School, she was a cheerleader and a member of many school clubs. In her senior year, she was voted a Senior Beauty, Queen of the May, with her boyfriend (later husband), Harris, as her May King. Anna and Harris were also voted Most Popular. Following graduation from OHS in 1949, Anna attended the University of Montevallo, before transferring to the University of Alabama where she earned a degree in home economics in 1953. She was a member of Kappa Delta social sorority.

Anna asked Harris to marry her while he was on leave from the Air Force and was in town for the Georgia Tech vs. Auburn football game in October of 1954. Harris said yes and the couple wed seven weeks later on December 18. The newlyweds began their married life at Antigo Air Force Station in Wisconsin. In 1955, they moved to Atlanta, where Anna designed window displays for the J.P. Allen Department Store. In 1960, along with their toddler son, the family moved back to Opelika. Anna made a major impact on her hometown as a member of many clubs and numerous community committees. She led her daughter’s Girl Scout Troop #102 from Brownies in 1966 to First Class Scouts in 1978. In 1976, she served as president of the committee that planned local celebrations for America’s Bicentennial, and in 1987, she co-founded Opelika Main Street. Anna was a member of the charter board of directors that established the Museum of East Alabama, and in 1968, she became a founding member of the Phalo Study Club, which is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year. She was a member of the Jonquil Garden Club, served a term as president of the Opelika Arts Association, was a successful Tupperware sales representative, and created window displays for Hollingsworth, Norman & Stern Department Store in Historic Downtown Opelika. As a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church of Opelika, Anna co- taught kindergarten Sunday School for 25 years, taught arts and crafts at VBS, and served on many church committees. She was an expert seamstress, a master Bridge player, an excellent cook, gardener and crafter and a competitive tennis player. When she moved to assisted living in 2017 and had to give up her favorite pastimes, she found new hobbies, including daily exercise classes, playing Amtrak (dominoes) and Bingo. She also fell in love with reading, devouring more than 200 books.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Anna was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband of 62 years, Harris W. Asbury (2017). She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Wake and Joan Asbury, and her daughter, Kate Asbury Larkin of Opelika; six grandchildren who affectionately called her Nanna: Tyler (Will) Grogan, Field (Holly) Asbury and her namesake, Anna Asbury Larkin (Ian) Carlson of Atlanta; Lucas (Meghan) Asbury of Nashville; Bo (Catherine) Larkin of Auburn, and Duncan (Grace) Asbury of Birmingham; seven great-grandchildren: Stark, Bascom, Thompson, Helen, Olivia, Charlie and Virginia; one brother, Judson (Joan) of Opelika, three nieces and five nephews.

For those who would like to make a memorial contribution, the family suggests Village Friends (P.O. Box 314, Auburn, Ala. 36831), Bethany House (1171 Gatewood Dr. #100, Auburn, Ala. 36830), the Museum of East Alabama (121 S. 9th St., Opelika, Ala. 36801), First Methodist Church (702 Avenue A, Opelika, Ala. 36801) or the East Alabama Medical Center Foundation (2000 Pepperell Parkway, Opelika, Ala. 36801).

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory is handling arrangements.