Anne Davis Percy, 77, of Oxford, Mississippi, died on August 21, 2017.  She is survived by her children, Dudley Olsson and her husband, Elis of West Point, Virginia, Farish Percy of Oxford, Will Percy and his wife, Sandra of Washington Grove, Maryland, and Roy Percy and his wife Mary Ann of Oxford; seven grandchildren, Lanier Olsson, Maja Olsson, Grady Tollison, Laurel Tollison, Liam Percy, Phin Percy and Lea Percy; two brothers, Evan Davis and William Davis, and a step-sister, Evelyn Turcotte and their families.

Anne was born in Greenville, Mississippi, to Overbey Hutchinson Davis and Errett Evan Davis.  She received a B.A. in American Literature from Tulane University.  Anne loved books, and after raising her four children she began to work on her own writing. In 1990, she attended the first Sewanee Writer’s Conference, where she was encouraged to turn one of her short stories into a play. She took the advice, and “Moses and His Crowd” was later performed as part of Oxford’s Ten Minute Plays.

Anne earned an M.A. in Southern Studies from the University of Mississippi. While a graduate student, she discovered her knack for research and immersed herself in the history of her adopted town. In 2008, she self-published “Early History of Oxford, Mississippi,” which became a Square Books bestseller. In the book, Anne examined the “town’s history of slavery, religion, press and the changing face of patriotism,” a reviewer wrote. Anne said early residents of Oxford “were not dull people. They were special, and they should not be forgotten.”

Anne’s family and friends can attest that she, herself, was not dull.  She was smart, witty and would freely share her views. Her grandchildren, all of whom called her “Anne,” will remember her as someone who encouraged their creative endeavors. She almost always gave them books or bookstore gift cards as presents.

Anne was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Oxford.  The family will receive visitors in West Hall at Waller Funeral Home on Friday, August 25, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held in the chapel at the funeral home at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2017, with Rev. John Semmes officiating. A private family interment will follow in Oxford Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial donations in memory of Anne may be made to The Center for the Study of Southern Culture/University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655.

For additional information or to sign an online guestbook, please visit our website at www.wallerfuneralhome.com or call 662-234-7971.