Ann Lacava

POWELL - Ann Loftis Lacava, age 84, of Powell, Tennessee, Grannie Annie, as she was fondly called, died peacefully in her sleep October 30, 2022. She did things her way until the end. She said she wanted to go to sleep one night and not wake up, and that’s exactly what she did. She lived a full, fun life and will be remembered for her boisterous laugh, her stubborn streak, her unfailingly positive spirit, her deep dislike for domestic duties and, most of all, for the love she had for her large, loud family. Her other favorite things included chocolate, smiley faces, Minions, hugs and her many friends. Early in her career, Ann was a thesis and dissertation typist. She opened her own business, The Manuscript Shop, then went on to become thesis consultant at the University of Tennessee. She loved guiding her graduate students and was their biggest cheerleader. While working at UT, she rediscovered a passion for gardening and earned her master gardener’s certification through UT’s extension program. After retiring, she found another passion working with chain mail and precious metal clay. She was a member of the Foothills Craft Guild and hosted monthly Artist’s Playdays with other artisans in her studio, where she shared the love of her craft. We’re left to mourn her, but we’re comforted by the fact that during her last days, she was happily sitting in her rocking chair on her healing porch overlooking a garden her slice of heaven, as she called it. She was fond of saying that she looked forward to reuniting with our dad, where they could be together on a cloud with their legs hanging over the edge, just swinging and smiling down at us. She’s preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Lacava, parents, Garrett and Anna Lou Loftis, and brothers Bob (Nancy) Loftis and Tom Loftis. She’s survived by her brother Bill Loftis (Judy); children Cindy Corwin (Brian), John LaCava (Carol), Gia Hinton (Steve) and Gina Carter (Jim); grandchildren Sean Demarest, Crystal Chitwood (Matt) and Derek Eaton; Joe (Carrie), Chris and Sam Carter; Alex (Dongui) and Carter LaCava; and great grandchildren Luna Demarest, Cody, Zettie and Jolene Chitwood, and Laney, Chance and Ryan Eaton, along with numerous extended family members. She also leaves behind Kaida, who she called her heart dog. Our sincere appreciation goes to her caregivers, Pat DeBusk, Diane Smithey, Stacey Gresham, Pam Chesney, Brenda Ogle, Kim Schmidt and Susan Crowley, who became part of our family. A memorial service will be held Thursday, November 3, 2022 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the University of Tennessee Botanical Garden’s Friendship Plaza. The garden is located at 2518 Jacob Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to Young-Williams Animal Center, a cause that was dear to her heart.