Long-time area resident and teacher, Anne Potts, died peacefully surrounded by her family at her home in Gregory on March 25, 2023 – just hours before her 58th wedding anniversary to Jack.
Born Anne Elizabeth Howlett on September 20, 1940 to Thomas and LeAnna Howlett, Anne was the younger sister of Henry, and the older sister of Christine “Tinnie” and Joseph. She devoted her life, along with Tinnie, to caring for their two disabled brothers.
A Stockbridge graduate, Anne followed her parents’ footsteps to Kalamazoo College and later graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Education, as did Jack and her son, Sam; the family vocation was strong, as both her parents, Tinnie, and many other relatives were teachers, and was rivaled only by Anne’s Spartan spirit. All four of her children and one daughter-in-law graduated from MSU, and she attended or watched football and basketball games (always wearing green and white) enthusiastically. She bore losses and wins with grace and good humor, but those who loved her well knew ‘the look’ for either scenario.
In 1965, she was eating ice cream in the family kitchen when Charles “Jack” Potts, her high school sweetheart, blurted out, “Why don't we get married?” In 10 days they married in the Gregory Baptist Church. They went north to the family cabin in Alcona County, and she returned after the weekend to teach her 2nd graders in Howell. Jack returned to his studies at MSU, but once he had his Education degree, they lived in Oak Grove and both taught in Howell Schools.
The family moved back to Gregory in 1973 so Jack could take over the family hardware store, Howlett Hardware. Anne raised their four children until she returned to teaching in Stockbridge schools in 1987. She was treasured by students and colleagues alike, a gentle, fun, funny, endlessly patient teacher in Smith Elementary until she retired in 2005, after being awarded employee of the year for Stockbridge Community Schools.
Anne loved her annual cousins’ trip to Charlevoix, where the Howlett girls would ‘work’ (shopping) and talk all night. Ever the teacher, she always gave a ‘lesson’ – a favorite poem or reading. Northern Michigan held a special place in her heart, having spent childhood summers with her siblings and family friends living in a rustic cabin adjacent to a farm. That elicited a lifelong love of animals, especially dogs and her backyard birds. Anne’s feeders attracted myriad birds, which she taught her children and grandchildren to identify and enjoy.
Anne’s flower gardens were never showy but always perfect, and her cooking and baking were legendary. In later years, she enjoyed working at estate sales with her friends and collecting antiques. She had a deep faith, loved reading, crosswords, and most of all, her family.
She is survived by Jack and their four children: Jack (Vicki) Potts of Wheaton, IL; Nathan Potts of Sacramento, CA; Sam (Meg) Potts of Brighton, MI; and Laura (John) Bakewell of Norwich, England; grandchildren, Thomas and Caroline Potts of Illinois; Maisie Potts of Michigan; and Lizzie, Anna, George and Sam Bakewell of England, her siblings, Tinnie O’Haver and Joe Howlett; and many loved nieces, nephews, and cousins survive. Her grandson, Charles Stephen Potts, preceded her in death.
She lived a good life and was loved beyond words.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Gregory Community Church. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023, 1:00 p.m., at Gregory Community Church, with Pastor Dan Miller officiating. Lunch to follow, then burial will take place at Oaklawn Cemetery in Stockbridge.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Gregory Community Church.
Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge
