Ann Kerr Dobbins

Ann Kerr Dobbins, 95 of Mars Hill, born September 2, 1928 in Asheville, NC, died Saturday, January 13, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents, Millie and Douglas Kerr; her husband, William Dean Dobbins (“Rip”) and her brother, Bruce Kerr.

Mrs. Dobbins graduated from Lee Edwards High School (now Asheville High) and received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and Pi Lambda Theta honorary fraternity.

Before her marriage in 1955 to William Dean Dobbins (“Rip”), she enjoyed teaching careers in Kingsport, Tennessee and Corpus Christi, Texas.

In 1970 she began a second career in Corpus Christi as a Certified Psychological Associate, and she held memberships in the Southwestern Psychological Association and the Texas Psychological Association. Active in mental health organizations, she served on the board of directors and as chief supervisor of Suicide Prevention, Inc., as well as serving as a telephone volunteer and trainer of volunteers for that organization.

Other volunteer work in Corpus Christi included serving on the board and as editor of the newsletter of the Coastal Bend Association of Mental Health, writer of the first mental health services directory, “The 1-2-3 Handbook”, serving on the boards of the Institute for Child Development and Parents Without Partners, and doing psychological testing of cases at Martineau Juvenile Hall. Community service in Corpus Christi included scout leadership, choir membership and church school teacher at the Episcopal Church of The Good Shepherd and All Saints’ Episcopal Church.

In 1998, after moving to Wolf Laurel, N.C., she and her husband became active in Bright Hope Laurel United Methodist Church, in Wolf Laurel Country Club, and the Wolf Laurel Property Owners’ Association.

She is survived by her son, William Douglas Dobbins and a grand-daughter, Amy Kay Dobbins of Corpus Christi, Texas.

The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to Susie Ramsey and Jamie Reese for their exemplary love and care for Rip and Ann.

Services will be private and if desired, memorial donations may be made to Memory Care, 2630 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28803; Alzheimer’s Research, P.O. Box 1950, Clarksburg, MD., 20871-1950; or the American Cancer Society.