Anna's Later Years
As she aged, health challenges like arthritis of the spine made it difficult for Anna to travel. She chose a successor, Edna Mae Bowman, but struggled to relinquish control of the organization. On November 16, 1956, Anna suffered a stroke that forced her to miss the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for the first time. Despite this, she continued to lead the organization through letters and phone calls for the next nine years.
Anna had long dreamed of a permanent headquarters for the OMA. In November 1962, the board of directors hired architect Dow Gumerson to design a grand building near the Oklahoma State Capitol. The ambitious plans included an auditorium with seating for 1,000 people. However, securing the necessary funding proved difficult, and the building was never constructed.
Anna died on October 12, 1965. She was laid to rest in her hometown of Hamilton, Missouri, alongside her husband and two children.