May 14, 1942 - January 13, 2015
Tommie Sue Cardin Anthony, 72, passed away Tuesday, January 13. She was the daughter of the late Ruth Mildred and Charles Cardin of Conway. She was born in Conway on May 14, 1942.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Gene William Anthony; son, Charles Wayne Anthony (Chuck); and grandson, William Edward Anthony. Tommie Sue is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Rena and Bill Hoggard of Conway. Tommie Sue graduated from Conway High School in 1960. She was a member of Antioch Baptist Church in Conway and President of Conway's Theta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma.
Ms. Anthony was a two-time UCA graduate (BSE-1963, MSE-1973) and a graduate of UALR (M.Ed. 1983). She began her 50 year career in education in 1963 as an English teacher at Jacksonville High School. She became one of the first teachers in the state to teach Advanced Placement ® (AP) English which led to her involvement in gifted education.
Between 1983 and 1998 she was the Director of the Talented and Gifted Program for Pulaski County Special School District and worked to design and to implement the gifted programs at College Station Elementary, Fuller Middle School, and Mills High School which were vital to the PCSSD desegregation plan. Working with the PCSSD gifted education teachers, she led the establishment of a Pre-AP curriculum. She worked closely with the Southwest Region of the College Board to develop Vertical Teams guides to help teachers nationwide to establish Pre-AP programs.
While at PCSSD, Tommie served on the committee that wrote the rules and regulations for the state's gifted programs and was the subject of the National Association for Gifted Children's study on effective advocacy. She also served as a legislative advocate for Arkansans for Gifted and Talented Education (AGATE) and was a charter member of the Arkansas Association of Gifted Education Administrators (AAGEA). AGATE recognized her exceptional contributions to the field of gifted education and AP by bestowing their highest honors upon her, the Educator Award (1998), Award of Excellence (2003), and the Martha Ann Jones-Norton Award (2008).
From 1998-2007, Tommie served as the Program Coordinator of the Arkansas Advanced Placement Professional Development Center housed at UALR. During her tenure, she authored a workshop for the College Board that has been used in every state in the country. In 2003, she and her colleagues worked closely with the Arkansas General Assembly on legislation that resulted in AP programming being offered in every Arkansas school district.
Tommie served as a College Board consultant in 25 different states and as an AP national trainer. She worked with school administrators and teachers to improve AP programs across the state and nation. She was selected as one of only 100 College Board consultants to work with new consultants as a mentor and evaluator. She was an influential member of The College Board's National Small Schools Task Force. The Southwest Region of the College Board recognized her contributions by awarding her the prestigious Joe Arriaga Award and the Martha Salmon Award.
Between 2007 and the fall of 2013, Tommie was the President of the Arkansas Advanced Initiative in Math and Science (AAIMS), an affiliate of the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI). She was one of two authors of the NMSI Exxon Mobile 13 million dollar grant that established AAIMS for AP math, science, and English. As the President of AAIMS, she diligently worked with the Governor, legislators, and educational leaders to include rigor, relevance, and excellence for all Arkansas students. Under her leadership, the Arkansas Legislature recently signed the AAIMS initiative into law, a testament to her enduring work and far-reaching impact on Arkansas education.
In 2014, the University of Central Arkansas conferred the UCA Distinguished Alumna Award upon Tommie in recognition of her contributions to UCA and her outstanding success in shaping the state and national landscape of education.
In the fall of 2014, she established the UCA Tommie Sue Anthony Fellowship for the Education of the Gifted. In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Anthony requested that donations be made to the fellowship that bears her name. Contributions to the fellowship can be mailed to the UCA Foundation, Buffalo Alumni Hall, UCA Box 4986, 2490 Bruce Street, Conway, AR 72035.
Tommie's funeral service will be held at 3 PM on Thursday, January 15th at the Antioch Baptist Church, 150 Amity Road, Conway, AR 72032. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway. Online guest book:www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.
Dear Gene and family,
We lost one very special lady. Tommie Sue leaves a legacy of wisdom,,humor, and a great love of family. Many rich memories will be recalled.
With our sincere sympathy and love,
Larry and Mitzi
Gene, Chuck and Will, I just learned of Tommie Sue's passing. So very sorry. God bless each of you and care for you during this sorrowful time.
Patti Elliott and family
Dear Gene, Chuck, and William,
I loved Tommie Sue and am so very grateful that I was able to see her over the Christmas break. She was a remarkable woman! I know these are difficult days and I just wanted you all to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love to you all! Teresa
I just wanted you to know that ya'll are in my thoughts and prayers. I remember when I first got in gifted education and how impressed I was with Tommie Sue. I loved going to meetings and sitting by her. I always wished and that of her wisdom would rub off on me. Everyone loved and respected Tommie Sue. We will really miss her.
I was hired to teach in the gifted program at College Station Tommie Sue's last year in PCSSD, but she has touched my life in so many ways. I was able to get to know her through the people whose lives and careers she had deeply influenced. Anytime the GT teachers of PCSSD get together, her name comes up, always with great affection and respect. She was an incredible educator. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Gene, I am so very sorry to hear of Tommie passing> She was a very special lady .You and your family will be in my prayers.> Nanda.
My condolences to the family and close friends. I did not have Mrs. Anthony as a teacher but has a student at JHS you were one of her students. She influenced you just by speaking to you, you stood a little straighter and taller, spoke a little clearer with more distinction. I admired and respected her and appreciated her more than most any other teacher I had in my school years. This is a true loss for education across the State and Country. Rest in Peace Tommie you have earned it.
Tommy Sue was one of the many "Antioch kids" who went on to distinguish themselves in Education. She was a wonderful teacher and van guard in gifted education. I had the pleasure of working with her as a friend and professional educator. We'll miss her talents!
Tommie Sue did what so many educators hope to do. She made a difference in the lives of students. She did her role well and untold numbers will benefit from her efforts for years to come. God blessed us with this woman that was a force in education. She will be missed.
I have warm memories of a wonderful teacher at Jacksonville High School. You will live in our hearts forever. May You Rest in Peace, What a Legacy....
One of my favorite teachers in high school - she is one of the reasons I teach today. She will be missed. Praying for her family.
Mrs. Anthony was a trail blazer for the Scholars program. She had a deep compassion for working with Gifted students. Mrs. Anthony will be greatly missed by all. She loved her family and spoke about them often. My prayers are with her family.
We were just speaking of Mrs. Anthony at a class meeting for our 50th reunion. We were her first class at Jacksonville High School.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
I cleaned mrs. Anthony's house for nine months with mommin Mommas we will all miss her very deeply
Sorry for you all loss mr Anthony,chuck and William I will be praying for you all for weeks and months to come
Ms. Anthony, during the mid 1970's in a freshly integrated Jacksonville High School, saw value in an African American girl others did not deem worth the time. Fast forward 25 years, I met her and announced I had a doctorate. She proceeded to let people know that she was responsible for that. I agreed. Thank you Ms. Anthony.
I met and worked with Mrs. Anthony this past semester at PCSSD. She was dedicated to Gifted Education and certainly made an impact. Her presence is a loss.
My condolences to her family at this time and may God give you peace for your loss during the weeks ahead.
Tommy Sue's wealth of knowledge will be missed in the education field. I am very sorry for your loss.
My Prayers and condolences to the family.
Tommie Sue was one of my favorite people at UALR. Her energy, her love for her work with students, teachers, and colleagues, and her overall zest for life are the memories I cherish of our beloved friend.
Tommie Sue will always hold a special place in my heart because she was a trusted advisor, excellent mentor and most of all a dear friend. May she rest in peace.
Mr. Anthony,
I am so sorry for your loss. May God comfort you, William, and Will during this difficult time.
Regards,
Tracy Jones
Julia Lee Moore Elementary School
praying for family
Sadly we have lost a finally retired visionary educator for Talented and Gifted students in Arkansas and the nation. Her grace and passion for education was shown in all her endeavors. She touched countless central AR students including my daughter and of course the teachers at College Station, Fuller and Mills. I am glad to have been on part of her journey. Her ripple effect will continue through her legacy. Peace to all.
Gene, and family. I was so sorry to hear about Tommy Sue. I've known her since she was a little girl. I saw you both last year at Mike's Place in Conway.
I had no idea she was ill. I pray for the Good Lord to give you peace and comfort in this sadness you're faced with. May God bless you all.
Linda (Havens) Smith
Arkansas has lost a dedicated and well respected educator. Tommie Sue gave everything she had to each endeavor she was a part of. Her expertise will be greatly missed, not only in Arkansas but across the nation. May God Bless her loving family.