Ann Selfe West

April 15, 1957 - October 19, 2020

Ann Selfe West, 63, of Bristol, Virginia went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, October 19, 2020. Ann was born in Abingdon, Virginia on April 15, 1957, and with her birth, the world instantly became a better place. To know Ann was to love her. She brought light and goodness and so much beauty into every room she graced. She had the most amazing, infectious laugh and always knew when people needed to hear it. Ann worked tirelessly to make the lives of those around her easier, and not just for those closest to her. She would have done anything for anyone at any time. Her love was enveloping, limitless, and unconditional. Her generosity knew no bounds. Even though this sometimes meant she had a much-too-heavy-load to bear, Ann knew only one way, and that was to love like Jesus. She gave every ounce of herself hoping to bless the lives of those around her. After graduating from Virginia High School in 1975, Ann attended cosmetology school. She loved cosmetology because she wanted to help every single client feel as beautiful on the outside as she knew they were on the inside. In 1985, she opened her first salon, Class Act Hair, in Castlewood, Virginia. In 1992, she founded Bristol School of Hair Design and worked incredibly hard to create an environment where everyone felt loved. Ann was so proud of the students who attended her school and always said teaching was a gift because it allowed her to give people a hand at achieving the life they dreamed for themselves. Ann counted her longtime co-workers, Dale Bennett and Suzanne Gaussart, as family. But certainly Ann’s greatest contribution during her time here on Earth was motherhood. She absolutely lived for her daughters, and she made each one of her girls believe she was the favorite child on a daily basis. Ann was an up-at-2 AM-sewing-handmade-costumes kind of mom. She never missed a single recital, awards ceremony, or ball game. But even more than that, she was undeniably the loudest cheerleader in the audience (making the display complete with embarrassing yelling and whooping). No one has ever supported her children more than Ann did. In 2018, when Ann was able to reconnect with her oldest daughter, Kelley, her life and family were finally complete. Ann revelled in the immense joy of being a grandmother. She often bragged that she could now experience the fun without all of the work. She spoiled her grandbabies each and every time she saw them, and they will especially remember Nana Ann’s infamous pillow fight battles that always ended with uproarious laughter. None of them were allotted enough time with her, but they will take comfort in knowing they will certainly get to experience that laughter with her again when they are reunited in Heaven. Ann is survived by her four daughters (who all believe she actually hung the moon), Summer West Woodward, Candice West, Crystal West Woods, and Kelley Zollo; four son-in-laws, Vince Woodward, Tyler Barb, Stephen Woods, and Steve Zollo; seven ridiculously beloved grandchildren, Annleigh Woodward, Thatcher Woodward, Charleston Woodward, Baker Woods, Alexis Zollo, Mason Zollo, and Nolan Zollo; her sisters and best friends, Barbara “Bobbie” Addington and Deborah Penland; brother-in-laws, Terry “Cotton” Addington and Tommy Penland, special nieces and nephews including Dalton Addington, Tabitha Penland Wandell, Tom Penland, David Penland, George Cook, Ashley Selfe, and Charlie Selfe; and her soul sister and close friend, Jo Rosser. Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Hazel Selfe Leonard and Lynn Bevel Selfe, as well as her big brother, Carl Matthew Selfe, of Castlewood, Virginia. They all undoubtedly celebrated wildly at The Pearly Gates when she entered. Those left behind look forward to the day when they may see Ann’s beautiful smile again. Until then, we will be reminded of her by all of her favorite things: sitting on the beach at sunset, the color fuschia, planting flowers in the spring, baking sticky buns, and cracking jokes at inappropriate times. Per Ann’s wishes, there will be no traditional service. Her daughters wish to grieve privately at this time, but when the time comes that they may safely hug all who loved Ann and celebrate their mother’s beautiful life, they will hold a special celebration, and loved ones will be notified. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ann’s honor may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (a cause she held near to heart), 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.BlevinsCares.com. Ms. West and her family are in the care of Blevins Funeral & Cremation Services; ph.#: (276) 669-6141.