Margaret Ann Hatfield Proffer

Mrs. Margaret Ann Hatfield Proffer, 97, died Monday, September 9, 2024, at her home in Oxford, MS. The funeral will be Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. at Oxford University United Methodist Church with Rev. Chris McAlilly and Rev. Warren Black officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 11:30 A.M. A graveside service will be held Friday, September 20, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. at Evergreen Cemetery in Gulfport, MS with Rev. Claire Dobbs officiating.

Ann was born on January 30, 1927, in Dexter, MO, to the late Fanny Henson and Larry O. Hatfield. She was raised in Sikeston, MO, before her family moved to Ellisville, MS, where she graduated Valedictorian of her class. On a trip back to Missouri to visit friends, Ann dated her future husband, Charles, falling quickly in love and marrying in 1946. The pair settled in Gulfport, MS, where they would begin a long and wonderful marriage of 43 years, and raise their two beloved daughters. Ann was a former member and president of both the Junior Women’s Club and Junior Auxiliary. An actively involved member of First United Methodist Church of Gulfport, she cherished her church family and often volunteered to serve wherever needed. With a deep appreciation for the arts, Ann was a volunteer docent at the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum in Biloxi, where she enthusiastically shared her knowledge with others. Recognizing the need for a community orchestra, she helped found Orchestra on the Coast. When Ann wasn’t giving so freely of herself to others, she could be found at the library, quietly enjoying one of her favorite pleasures in life – a good book.

In 2005, Ann was displaced by Hurricane Katrina, but found peace and refuge in her new home of Oxford, MS. She wasted no time immersing herself in her new life, reinventing herself in new and beautiful ways. Despite the catastrophe that brought her here, Ann never complained, finding only the good in her situation. She found a wonderful group of women to play bridge with, though she quit playing while she was still at the top of her game. As an avid fan of Archie Manning and Ole Miss, she was happy to find herself surrounded by fellow Rebels fans. Even in her final days, Ann still tuned into the game to watch the Rebels play one last time.

As a mother of two girls, Ann’s life never had a dull moment. Her loving and affectionate nature made her a patient mom, always struggling to be a strict disciplinarian. Instead, Ann led her daughters by example with a warmth and grace they deeply admired. Over the years, they took countless trips together, including some of their favorites to Williamsburg, Nantucket, and their family cabin near Spivey Falls in Irwin, Tennessee. When they went on road trips, the three girls spent the entire trip singing in harmony with one another. On Monday, as Ann rested peacefully, they had the honor of singing to her one last time, as she made her final journey to eternal rest. In addition to her parents, Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Louis Proffer; son-in-law, William Low; and two brothers, Larry Hatfield and James L. Hatfield.

Ann is survived by her daughters, Allison Movitz and her husband, Ed of Oxford, MS, and Jana Low of Houston, TX; five grandchildren, William Powers of Greensboro, NC, Austin Powers (Tabbetha) of Houston, TX, Laura Ann Williams (Art) of Katy, TX, Andrew Movitz of Oxford, MS, and Alex Movitz (Hattie) of Broomfield, CO; ten great-grandchildren, Beau Williams, Cooper Powers, Townes Powers, Knox Powers, Lyla Ann Williams, Elin Williams, Gage Powers, Katelyn Powers, William Powers, and Olivia Powers; and one great-great-grandchild, Ellie Mae Powers.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Ann’s memory may be made to Wildflower Trails of Mississippi, online at https://mswildflowers.org/see-money/, Oxford University United Methodist Church, 424 South 10th Street, Oxford, MS 38655, or to Gulfport Public Library, 1708 25th Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501.