Virginia "Ann" Gregory

Virginia Ann Gregory, 79, passed away on the morning of Tuesday, August 19, 2025. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and grace.

Born on November 22, 1945, in Cartersville, Georgia, Ann was the daughter of the late William Henry and Virginia Evans Lunsford. She spent her formative years in Talking Rock, Georgia, near Carne’s Mill, where her grandparents owned and operated a local country store.

With an upbringing full of travel and adventure, Ann and her family lived both stateside and abroad. As a young lady, her years were spent in Madrid, Spain, Sacramento, California, and Warner Robins, Georgia. In 1963, Ann became a proud graduate of Warner Robins High School and had the honor of being crowned Miss Pioneer.

After high school, Ann began her career path with the Army Air Force Exchange Service. Alongside her family, Ann moved to Kansas and later, Florida. While in Florida, she continued to serve the Army Air Force Exchange and met her husband, the late Howard J. Gregory. Together, they lived in Alaska, followed by San Antonio, Texas (where they welcomed their daughter), then on to Hawaii, before Louisville, Kentucky (where Ann taught school), and Denver, Colorado (where she worked for Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Financial Services) In 1990, they made Warner Robins, their permanent home.

Upon returning to the Middle Georgia area, Ann enjoyed working at Kellwood Manufacturing and dedicated over 25 years as a real estate associate broker, making a lasting impact through her work with several companies including, Fickling & Company Realtors (formerly Fickling & Walker), Scott Free Realty in Perry, RE/MAX Realty, and Sheridan Solomon & Associates. Ann served as 2006 President Central Georgia Board of Realtors, Board of Directors HODAC Administrative Board, GAR Forms, Grievance, and Course Development Committee 2007, Realtor of the Year - Local Board 2007, Georgia Realtor of the Year Nominee GRI Governor 2010-2014 and 21st Century Partnership IDAKA Women’s Service Organization State Director.

Ann loved her community, serving on multiple boards including the Chamber of Commerce and the Museum of Aviation. She was also a longtime member of Perry United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed teaching Sunday School for many years.

With a combination of intelligence, striking beauty, and honesty, Ann left a lasting impression on everyone she met. Her beloved companion, Johnny DeBona, lovingly described her presence as “like opening a box of sunshine.” She was elegant, classy, and loved celebrating events, as well as the warmth of the holidays spent with loved ones. Ann’s house was filled with books, as reading, crossword puzzles, and cooking were her favorite pass times.

Above all, Ann’s greatest joy was that of being a mother. She devoted herself fully to raising her daughter, Suzanne, with a fierce and unfailing love. Ann was her daughter’s biggest fan and delighted in cheering Suzanne on through every chapter of her life.

A light in the lives of so many, Ann will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who were blessed enough to have known her.

In addition to her parents, Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Howard J. Gregory.

Her memory will forever be treasured by her daughter, Suzanne; sister, Mary Sue Roman (Jessie) of Hampton, Virginia; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as loving companion, Johnny DeBona.

A memorial gathering with family and friends will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A memorial service celebrating Ann’s life will be immediately follow at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home. Afterward, Virginia Ann Gregory will be laid to rest privately in Magnolia Park’s Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of Virginia Ann Gregory to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/@McCulloughFuneralHome via the McCullough Funeral Home’s YouTube page.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.