Carrie Inez Cherry Anyan, affectionately known as "Nana," age 88, of Winnfield, LA, passed away Monday, October 20, 2025 at Ridgecrest Community Care Center in West Monroe, LA, after a lengthy illness.

"Nana" was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Winnfield, LA, where she was an active member of the Seekers Sunday School class and the WMU Day Circle group. She loved the Lord with all her heart and was baptized at age 85.

Inez was born Sunday, August 22, 1937 to Melvin Marion Cherry and Carrie Sanders Cherry in Bastrop, LA.

Her childhood years were spent in Bastrop where her father was employed by International Paper Co. In 1941, Inez's mother, Carrie, died during childbirth of her stillborn sister. Inez was just 4 years old at the time. She moved to Monroe in her junior year and graduated from Ouachita High School in 1955.

A year later, Inez met and married her sweetheart, Jimmy Ray Anyan, on December 22, 1956 at her father's home in Bastrop. The couple had three sons and settled in Winnfield, Louisiana.

Inez and Jim enjoyed their RV camping club and motorcycle club trips with Goldwing Road Riders and Christian Motorcyclist Association.  She was a member of the Lazy Daisy Homemakers, the book club at the Winn Parish Library and enjoyed attending Winnfield High School Reunions.  Inez was the office manager at the Winn Parish Health Unit before retiring in 2000, after 28 years of public service.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She adored her grands and great-grands, with each of them holding a special place in her heart and she in theirs. She loved family gatherings and always made sure to attend all the important events in her grandchildren's lives – dance recitals, sporting events, choir concerts and graduations.

She loved and cherished her family and often let her grands know this by singing the song, "I love you a bushel and a peck."  She loved her church family, shopping at Dillard's, and watching Wheel of Fortune – she always solved the puzzles before anyone!  Her sweet smile was contagious and always lit up the room. Her warm, kind disposition and her faith in God will remain in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her!

She was preceded in death by her sister Doris Cherry Whittington. She is survived by her three sons, Michael Ray Anyan of Dodson, LA; Gary Mark Anyan and wife Cherie of West Monroe, LA; Gregory Neal Anyan and wife Lisa of Collierville TN; sisters in law, Jesse Anyan of Minden, LA; and Johnnie Anyan of FL.; grandchildren, Callie Anyan-Draine (Zach), Katie Prewitt (Briar), Kirstie Ford (Tyler), Abby Thompson (Christian), Alex Anyan, Allie Anyan; great-grandchild, Lylah, Hazel and Georgia Pat Prewitt, Stella and Ada Ford, and Baylor Thompson; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Carrie Cherry; her husband;, Jimmy Ray Anyan; her brothers Earl Mayo Cherry and sister Katie Byers

Funeral Services will be held at Southern Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 2 p. m.  Services will be conducted by John Holland. Interment will follow at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Winnfield, LA.

Friends may visit with the family in the funeral home on Friday, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and also on Saturday from 12:00 p.m. (noon) until time of services at 2:00 p.m.

Pallbearers will be: Tyler Ford, Briar Prewitt, Christian Thompson, Zach Draine, Michael Durbin, Lyn Bankston.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff of Ridgecrest Community Care Center Nursing Home and Agape Care Hospice for their compassionate care and kindness shown.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church WMU Day Circle of Winnfield, LA.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.southernfuneralhome.com