Elizabeth Farson - Obituary

lizabeth “Ann” Farson (née Childress), 84, passed away peacefully in Tucson, Arizona, after spending her final months joyfully surrounded and cared for by her children. Born on June 15, 1941, in Front Royal, Virginia, Ann was raised in Oxon Hill, Maryland, where she graduated from Oxon Hill High School in 1959 before attending Frostburg State Teachers’ College. After two years of college, she began what became a life-long and distinguished career as a federal employee, a vocation she truly loved. Over the course of her career, Ann served in several federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency, and ultimately found a professional home at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. There, she worked in the Office of the Undersecretary with faithfulness and decorum, earning numerous accolades and awards for her service, including the prestigious Bronze Medal of the United States. Ann took deep pride not only in her work, but also in the friendships and relationships she cultivated with colleagues over many years. Beyond her professional life, Ann was an avid gardener who delighted in nurturing beauty and life, and she enjoyed her involvement with the garden club in Tantallon, Maryland. She loved the Tantallon community where she spent most of her adult life and treasured the neighbors and friends she found there. She was a life-long member of Oxon Hill Baptist Church, where she participated actively in the operations and ministries of the church, living out her faith in community and service. Ann was also a breast cancer survivor who faced her journey with courage and grace. She loved traveling overseas, spending time with dear friends, and most especially cherishing moments and memories with her family and her beloved canine companion, Sofi. Ann was preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard “Alan” Farson; her parents, Mabel Elizabeth Childress (née Rutherford) and Ennis “Garland” Childress; and her brother, Francis “Fred” Childress. She is survived by her two children, Lori Clow (Angela K. Sams) and Michael Clow; and by her step-children Sandra Farson-Polanco (Robert), David Farson (Karen), and Richard Farson Jr. (Helen). She is also lovingly remembered by her step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her great joy. Her family and friends will forever carry her gentle strength, devotion, and love in their hearts, trusting that she is now at peace with the Lord. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on June 15, 2026, at Kalas Funeral Home, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, Maryland 20745. A church service will follow from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Oxon Hill Baptist Church, 6633 St. Barnabas Road, Oxon Hill, Maryland 20745. The family welcomes all who loved her to attend and share in the remembrance of Ann’s beautiful life. The family also extends heartfelt thanks to the caregivers in both Maryland and Arizona who supported Ann with compassion and dignity. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org/ or to Susan G. Koman at https://www.komen.org/ in Ann’s honor.