Ann Soulé entered the gates of Heaven to join her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, May 9, 2017, where she was greeted by a host of loved ones that had gone before her. She was born on August 17, 1922, in Houston, Texas, the daughter of Earl Luckett Morris and Hazel Hemphill Morris.  

Ann lived in Houston until the age of 6, whereupon she moved with her family to her father’s childhood home in Bastrop, Texas.  She enjoyed growing up in a household with her parents, four siblings, her fraternal grandfather and maternal grandmother.  She was an excellent student and after graduation from Bastrop High School, went on to attend Mary Hardin Baylor College, where her studies were interrupted by World War II. 

Ann came home to Bastrop and began work as a Civilian Employee at nearby U.S. Army Camp Swift.   She was recognized for her service in the employment department over the duration of the war. After the war, Ann moved back to Houston where she met Finley Soulé, her future husband, while both were members of Second Baptist Church. After a long courtship, they married and were blessed with nearly 50 years together.

After marrying, Ann and Finley moved for a brief time to Atlanta, Georgia where Finley was stationed in the Army. There they had their first son, Earl, and shortly afterwards moved back to Houston where Ann would live for the remainder of her life. 

In Houston, they had a second son, Finley (affectionately known as Bubba), and later, a third son, Jim.  She enjoyed the adventure and joys of parenting three sons and was always ready to make sacrifices for her husband and boys. In 1956 Ann and Finley bought a piece of property in the Memorial area’s Hunter’s Creek, considered to be “way out in the country”, where they raised their family. 

Ann served her Lord in many different ways.  At Second Baptist Church and later First Baptist Church, she and Finley worked with the youth in Training Union, as Summer Church Camp Sponsors, and for many years as the 12th Grade Sunday School Directors. They enjoyed accompanying the youth group on many mission trips, both nearby and around the world.  Ann and Finley opened their home weekly for Tuesday Night Bible Study where as many as 100 or more high school students would attend.

Ann served on many committees at church, lending her quiet, thoughtful ideas and opinions to the decisions that were made.  She was a vital part of the church’s New Members Ministry and participated in the Music Ministry as the coordinator of Ushers and Greeters for the annual Christmas Pageant.   She also served her community through organizations where she worked in leadership.  She was instrumental in helping to integrate the YWCA in Houston in the 1960s, and she served as President of the Parents Club at Second Baptist School. 

Ann was a woman of deep, steadfast faith and great character throughout her life.  She was wholly devoted to her Lord and her beloved family.  She was a gracious, considerate, dignified and generous woman.  She was a strong mentor and encourager to many during her 94 years who highly regarded her for her great intellect, keen wit, and the Godly wisdom she imparted.   

Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Finley Miller Soulé; sons Albert Earl Soulé and Finley Morris Soulé; her father, Earl L. Morris; mother, Hazel H. Morris; sisters, Rosalee Curtis, Patsy Sweetman and May Waltman Whitaker, and her brother Dr. Charles Morris.

She is survived by her son, Jim Soulé and wife Kathy, daughter-in-law Kathy Soulé Sibello and husband Al, and daughter-in-law Kay Soulé; 10 grandchildren: Ngo Minh Ahn, David (Sarah) Soulé, Steven (Chandra) Soulé, Andrew (Rachelle) Soulé, Anna (Andrew) Clogg, Sarah (Jamaal) Johnson, Ryan Soulé, Peter (Monica) Sibello, Maria (Travis) Burton, and Lauren Soulé; 18 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

A Memorial celebration of Ann’s life will be held in the Chapel of Houston’s First Baptist Church, on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 1:00 p.m.  A private family graveside committal service was held in Bastrop, Texas on Sunday, May 21, 2017. 

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests, with deep gratitude, that memorial contributions be made in Ann’s name to the HFBC Youth Camp Scholarship Fund, 7401 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas  77024

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