Ann Dickens Holtzclaw

Evelyn “Ann” Dickens Holtzclaw, a dedicated mom, teacher, and coach, peacefully passed away on September 11, 2024, at the age of 68 after a 3½-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Her impact is profoundly felt in her community and family, where she was proudly known as Momma, Maw, Coach, and Coach Dickens' daughter. Ann will also be known for her self-expression and personal freedom.

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana while spending many days on Lake Bistineau at the family lake house, Ann developed a lifelong love for the outdoors, the beach, and all things sports. She was a graduate of Southwood High School class of 1974 and graduated from Centenary College in 1980. This passion guided her through a fulfilling 30-plus-year career as a teacher and coach ending at Mansfield Elementary/Middle School in Desoto Parish. She devoted herself to guiding and inspiring young athletes and students in softball, football, basketball, and track. Her commitment to her students and players was matched only by her devotion to her family.

Ann was a proud and loving grandmother, with a special love for her very spoiled grandchildren and her newest great-grandbaby. She loved taking her grandchildren to different ball tournaments and found happiness in life's simple pleasures, like feeding the squirrels and birds that visited her home. A true animal lover, Ann's heart was as big as her impact on those around her. Her free-spirited and unconventional approach to life touched many lives, and she will be remembered for her blunt honesty and devoted ways.

Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Marty Dickens; grandparents, H.E. and Evelyn Alexander, and Brooksie and Lucy Dickens. Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Tiffany Cook and husband, Mike of Shreveport; son, Jason Holtzclaw and wife, Emerie of Shreveport; aunt, Elbie Dickens of Homer, Louisiana; Steve Brown, ex-husband and companion since Ann was 14 years of age and they shared their daughter together, Tiffany; grandchildren, Austin Cook, Addison Martin, Ashton Martin and Anna Beth Rains, Beaux Holtzclaw, and Kallyn Holtzclaw; great-granddaughter, River Lane Martin aka "Bug"; lifelong special friend, Nancy Young and her son, Tyler Young of Shreveport; extended family, Jean Brown, Roger and Gail Pool, Justin and Kelly Brown, Will and Brynn Brown, Jamie and Mollie Rollins, Byron Brown; and many other family members and friends.

Funeral services for Ann will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport, Louisiana. Burial will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery, 3700 St. Vincent Ave. in Shreveport. A visitation will be held Friday, September 13, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Officiating the service will be Chaplain Michael Perser of the Shreveport Fire Department.

Honoring Ann as pallbearers will be Jason Holtzclaw, Mike Cook, Austin Cook, Ashton Martin, Tyler Young, Beaux Holtzclaw, Steve Brown and Roger Pool. The family requests that you wear Maw’s favorite colors of bright pink, blue, green, or yellow. 

The family would like to send a special thank you to Dr. Lash of Willis-Knighton Hospital, Dr. Larry Flake, Willis-Knighton, Saint Joseph’s Hospice, and nurses Arlisha and Cassidy. 

The family suggests that donations may be made to your favorite animal rescue or local animal shelter.