Anna Nicole Gadison

On December 13, 2017, Anna Nicole Gadison (fondly referred to as “Anna Banana”), another one of God’s angels, was called home to be with the Lord!  She resided with her family in Springdale, Arkansas with her mother, Helena L. Wilson-Gadison, and brother, Jonathan A. Gadison.  She was born January 13, 1998 in Columbus, Ohio to Tony and Helena Gadison.  Anna grew up in the Springdale School system and attended high school, ran track and played basketball at Joe T. Robinson High Senators (Pulaski County) and completed her senior year and graduated from Springdale High School Bulldogs (Washington County) where she received numerous recognitions and awards for her outstanding athletic skill & ability. Some highlights were serving as school ambassador and being selected in 2016 by 10th grade Spanish teacher to travel abroad to Spain and other European Countries with Education First.  Anna attended North Arkansas College (Harrison, AR) her freshman year on a full women’s basketball scholarship, inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for her academic achievements and was on the Dean’s List.  Her sophomore year, she transferred to the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR) to pursue a major in Finance and minor in Business.  Anna has an outstanding track record in leading sales while working for Bath & Body Works (NWA Mall) and Dillard’s Lancome Beauty, as a beauty consultant. Growing up, Anna and her family were long term members of Wesley United Methodist Church, Springdale, where Anna was most known for leading the congregation in the Lord’s Prayer.  In December 2016, she and family became members of the Historical St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Fayetteville.  Anna was a member of the Northwest Arkansas N.A.A.C.P and the University of Arkansas’ Black Student Association and loved helping others and making people feel better about themselves.  Besides passions for basketball and track, Anna’s interest spanned fashion, beauty and a love of traveling.  Anna spent most of her summers playing AAU basketball and her beloved teams were:  AR Lady Rebels, AR Mavericks, NWA Camp Unity and her family fondly remembers her first exposure to basketball in 5th grade with the Sonics who developed her love for the game!

Anna’s goals were to complete her undergraduate and Master degrees from the University of Arkansas and go on to lead a successful corporate career with a Fortune 500 corporation.  She will be forever missed for her infectious smile, beauty, intelligence, athletic prowess and “can-do” attitude.  She truly believed with God, all was possible.

Survivors include her mother, Helena, father, Tony and his wife, Kelly, sisters, Selena M. Gadison (25) and Karoline Putnam (12) brothers, Jonathan A. Gadison (13), Kobe Putnam (19) & Kory Putnam (13), nephew, Kenneth Carter Williams (3) uncle, Bernie L. Brown (wife, Angela) and close family friend, Dr. John L Colbert.   She leaves behind beautiful memories with an army of family and close friends across the USA.

Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at the St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Fayetteville with Pastor Curtis Smith to officiate the service under the direction of Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral of Springdale, Arkansas.