Dr. Annie Marie Kilcrease

Annie Marie Lipscomb Kilcrease:  A Life Well Lived,

 Bucket List Completed—Well Done Humble Servant

PORT GIBSON, MS:  Funeral services for Dr. Annie Marie Lipscomb Kilcrease, 76, who died Thursday, January 9, at the Claiborne County Medical Center will be held at 11a.m., Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Mercy Seat M.B. Church with Rev. Frank McGriggs officiating; Dr. Rev. Ray Coleman will deliver the eulogy. Visitation will be Friday, January 17, 2025 from 1p.m. until 5p.m. at Mercy Seat M.B. Church and Saturday, from 10a.m. until service time at the church.  Burial will be at Thompson Memorial Garden Cemetery with Thompson Funeral Home Inc. of Port Gibson in charge of the arrangements.

Annie Marie Lipscomb Kilcrease, Ph.D., was the seventh child of seven born to her predeceased parents, Easter and Cleveland Lipscomb, in Port Gibson, MS, on March 24, 1948. She was preceded to Heaven by her parents, her doting stepfather, Spencer Turner, her two maternal brothers: Carl Lipscomb and Charles C. Lipscomb, one paternal brother: L. C. (Teddy) Lipscomb, one bonus brother: Nathaniel Truitt, two maternal sisters: Elizabeth “Liz” Williams, and Wessie Lipscomb Green; and one paternal sister: Dora Lipscomb Kemp. Being a part of a Christian-believing family, Annie Marie professed her faith at an early age and remained of the Baptist faith and an active member in Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church serving as the Church Announcer and serving on the Board of Trustees until she was called home to be a servant for Our Father.

Prior to her answering the final roll call, she had just traveled from Dallas, Texas for the holiday seasons, including Thanksgiving and Christmas.  She had festive times and laughed often and loudly during her visits.  She had a life well lived; her bucket list was complete.  She had accomplished all of her tasks and touched many lives by her at times gleaming smile, her high expectations, her caring attitude, her warm regard, and strong advocacy for children—not only the small ones but the children she saw in all of us. With that unerring vision and clarity of thought, she knew what we all needed and provided it without fail. In fact, she never failed.

Annie Marie could have failed when she discontinued attending high school in the 11th grade.  She was to be the first in her family to graduate high school. This was merely a setback for the ultimate comeback.  She obtained her GED with one test try.  No fail!  

She united in holy matrimony to Mr. Williams Kilcrease, Jr.  and as a result of this union, two children were born, Desiree’ Kilcrease Wilson and Orlando Cepeda Kilcrease.  She is also the very proud, loving, and dedicated grandmother of Alanna Caitlin Fleming (daughter of Desiree).  With a husband and two children in tow, she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Alcorn State University in English with a minor in French.  She also obtained a Master of Science degree from Alcorn State University, and later a Doctor of Philosophy from Jackson State University in Educational Leadership, and a Psychology of Leadership certification from Cornell University. Again, no fail for her!

Her career path included her becoming a Team Teacher, then English Teacher, Gifted Education Teacher (Addison Junior High School), Supervisor of Adult Basic Education Program (Claiborne County Public School District), Professional Development Coordinator (Claiborne County Public School District), Assistant Principal and Principal (Richardson Primary/A.W. Watson Elementary School), Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction (Claiborne County Public School District), and Superintendent of Education (Claiborne County Public School District).  No fails for her! 

Along her career path, she obtained numerous certifications and accolades.  Certifications and licensures held by Dr. Kilcrease under the Mississippi Department of Education included: Elementary Education (K-3) and (K-8), English (7-12), Gifted (K-12), Career Level Vocational Director, Elementary and Secondary Principal, and Administrator to name a few. Dr. Kilcrease then challenged herself and became an Adjunct Professor (Alcorn State University). She then became an Election Commissioner.  Again, no fails for her. 

As the queen that she is, she then became the State Education Director for Election Commissioners of Mississippi.  She then pivoted and became the Education Director of Training at At Home Care, Inc.  She continued to serve in this capacity until her untimely demise.

Despite all of these responsibilities and having memberships/servicing in such organizations as the Mississippi/American Association of School Superintendents, Hinds Community College Board of Directors member, Phi Delta Kappa National Honorary Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Port Heron Chapter #166A, Harriette Person Memorial Library,  National Association of Elementary/Secondary School Principals, and lastly and most importantly a longtime church and Board of Trustee member at Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church, Port Gibson, MS, she was an awesome mother and partner/wife!

After all of her memberships, accomplishments, and roles, including being recognized as the NAACP Educator of the Year, Hometown Hero Award, MSBA Lighthouse School Award, PREPS Value Added Award, God said, “Well done, humble servant.  You have run the most amazing race, and I need your services here with me.”  So, he sent his Angel to seal her lips and close her eyes as she took her rest in the arms of the Lord and answered the call to her ultimate home on January 9, 2025, at 7:15 am.

Annie Marie leaves to cherish her precious life, love, and memories, her husband of more than 57 years, Williams Kilcrease, Jr.; her son, Orlando Cepeda Kilcrease (Port Gibson, MS), her daughter, Desiree’ Kilcrease Wilson (Frisco, TX), her new son, Jeffery Wilson (Frisco, TX); and her greatest joy, her granddaughter, Alanna Caitlin Fleming (Frisco, TX).  She will also be treasured by her goddaughter, Trenisha Watson Jones.  Her memories will also be cherished by two sisters, Bobbie Jackson (Chicago, IL); and Bessie Ratliff of Port Gibson, MS; one sister-in-law, Anna Jean Kilcrease Cooper (St. Louis, MO), two special nieces: Tomeka Lipscomb Banks (Port Gibson, MS) and Barbara Ann Harris (Chicago, IL); a special friend, Mary Moore McCay (Port Gibson, MS), and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.   She was preceded to her final resting place by a SPECIAL friend, Janice Becks King, who will welcome her home, as she has been waiting on “Ann.”

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