Ann Lehman Pride

Ann Lehman Pride, 68, of Alexandria, Va. passed away Sunday, February 21 in Washington D.C following a stroke. A native of Blytheville, she was Director of Public Affairs and Policy in Entergy Corporation's Washington office.

While Ann worked in all aspects of the legislative process, she was a staunch advocate for Entergy's low-income customers. She worked tirelessly in support of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) program and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

After receiving both her bachelor and master's degrees from the University of Arkansas, she began her professional career with Congressman Bill Alexander before moving back to Arkansas in 1974 to work with Governor David Pryor. When Pryor was elected to the United States Senate in 1978 she returned to Washington to work as his communications director. She joined Entergy in 1991 as Director of Federal Government Affairs and held various titles and responsibilities with Entergy over the past 25 years. In 1992, she took a leave of absence to work on the Clinton-Gore campaign in Little Rock where she served as press secretary for Vice Presidential nominee, Al Gore.

Active in the University of Arkansas's Washington D.C. alumni chapter she regularly assisted many undergraduate students who were interning or working in Washington. She also served on the selection committee for the University's Henry Woods Student Leader Award established in memory of her friend and co-worker.

In addition to politics, her hobbies included playing bridge and traveling with friends and family. She was a member of an Old Town Alexandria "bridge bunch" group that met on Sundays for nearly 40 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe Pride Jr and his wife Margaret Shaver Pride.

She is survived by her brother, Joe Pride III and his wife Dianne of Elk Grove, Cal.; a niece, Elizabeth Pride; two nephews, Jacob Pride and Joey Pride and his wife, Kelleigh, all of California; numerous cousins and a host of friends.

Graveside services will be Saturday 1 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery in Blytheville with Dr. Tommy Carney officiating. Entergy is also planning a gathering of Ann's Washington D.C. area friends in Washington at a later date. Memorials may be made to The David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, East Center Street, Suite 120, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701.

Condolences may be offered at www.carneyfuneralhome.com.