Thursday, October 1, 2026
Loyce “Ann” Richey Jay was born June 9, 1942, as the first daughter and second of three children to John Harvey “Jack” Richey and Mildred Samford Richey, in Colorado City, Texas.
She and her two brothers, John and Bill, were all 18 months apart. The happy family moved to Abilene and then Hamlin, Texas.
Sadly, her father passed away when she was only 12 years old. Her mother had been a homemaker and suddenly had to work outside of the home and raise the children, but she did it with grace. Ann and her brothers grew up quickly.
At Hamlin High School, Ann was a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the student council, assistant editor of the school paper, played saxophone and was a drum major in band, played basketball, was a State 4-H Officer, F. F. A. Sweetheart and won the title of 1960 West Texas Fair Sweetheart, as well as playing piano and singing in the church choir.
She studied at McMurray in Abilene, Texas, then transferred to Abilene Christian University, St. Mary’s in San Antonio and graduated with honors from the University of Texas in Austin. She went on to get two master's degrees as well.
Having first met in the fifth and eighth grades, then beginning to date as a sophomore in high school and a freshman in college — Ann was 18 years old when she married the love of her life, Jerry Fred Jay, Dec. 29, 1960.
Eleven months later, their first child, Jerry “Keith,” was born. Keith was not just any child. Keith had Down Syndrome. They were told by a so-called specialist that Keith would never contribute to society, so put him in an institution, walk away, and move on with their lives.
Instead, at 19 and 21 years of age, Ann and Jerry took their baby home and became pioneers and experts on Down Syndrome since so little was known at the time. Ann said that she went to college just to find out what to feed Keith.
They moved to San Antonio because they found a special school for Keith. Ann began her teaching career there to help afford his school.
She was offered a scholarship to attend the University of Texas in Austin, and there were good opportunities for Keith there as well.
Ann and Jerry’s second child, Jana, was born in Austin. Both Ann and Jerry were excellent parents, involved in everything their children did and raised them well.
Next, the family moved back to West Texas, where Jerry’s family owned a variety of businesses, and they made their home in Sweetwater. From there, they moved to Granbury where Jerry and Ann eventually retired but remained very active.
Everywhere Ann lived, she continued to teach and go to school — and raise her children and have a flourishing marriage.
Ann literally taught everything under the sun in her career. She was a master teacher who taught other teachers how to teach. She also taught parenting classes at school and at church.
She taught “regular” classes and special education classes with both physically and mentally disabled students, but most likely, her favorite were her “bad boys.”
She was the creator and principal of the Behavior Transition Center (BTC) school in Granbury. Students were there because they had been expelled from their home campus or had gotten in trouble with the law.
Ann not only taught them the typical school curriculum, but also many life skills, including conflict resolution and basic manners and appropriate social interaction. She taught their parents, too. She was everyone’s mom, the one they wish they had.
She was a welcomed speaker at school and church conferences. Her wisdom and humor earned her the comparison of being a cross between parenting expert Dr. James Dobson and comedian/author Erma Bombeck.
She was always writing! Whether creating new curriculum to teach at school or conferences, stories about her family — especially experiences with Keith, prayers to God, encouraging letters or beautiful piano music.
She also enjoyed singing at church, as part of a quartet or choir for weddings and other events or in The Promise musical.
She was also a very gifted painter and enjoyed the Lake Granbury Art Association.
Ann and Jerry had been married 50 years when Jerry moved to heaven in 2010. Keith moved there, too, in 2024. Ann faithfully and lovingly walked them both home while continuing to love and guide Jana and so many others.
On May 6, 2026, she was reunited in heaven with them and her Lord, whom she followed and taught about her whole life. Her beautiful smile, wonderful stories, wise lessons, marvelous laugh and life-giving encouragement and love will continue to be cherished. Thank you, Ann Richey Jay. Thank you so very much! Well done! So well done! Celebration of Life Party: Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, 2 p.m. Lakeside Baptist Church, 500 W. Bluebonnet Drive, Granbury, Texas 76048 In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to her memorial scholarship for teachers or Special Olympics.
