Valerie Anne Stevens Woerner, known as “Anne” or “Annie” to all who loved her, boldly went where none could follow Monday, September 9, at the age of 65. Born in Vicksburg, June 25, 1959, to Gordon Joseph Stevens and Martha Virginia Stevens (née McMaster), Anne lived a life of intellectual curiosity, kindness, and generosity that touched everyone around her.

A brilliant student, Anne graduated as valedictorian from Vicksburg High School in 1977 and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State University. She went on to work at the United States Army Corps of Engineers for most of her career before retiring in January of 2015.

Anne had a lifelong love of learning and was known for her sharp wit and intelligence. Her thirst for knowledge never waned, and she remained an avid reader and researcher. A devoted fan of Star Trek, she embodied the show’s core values of self-determination, independence, freedom, equality, individual rights, responsibility, and creativity, and always encouraged those around her to live by those same ideals.

Above all, Anne’s kindness and generosity knew no bounds. She was always quick to ease the burdens of others, whether they were family, friends, or strangers. She had a soft spot for both animals and people in need, frequently taking in strays and offering them shelter and love. Her heart and her home were always open, and she left every life she touched better than she found it.

Anne is survived by her children, Erin Woerner and Ricky Woerner (Madison Johnston) and her beloved grandchildren, McKenna, Silas, and RuthAnne “Lizzie.” She also leaves behind her siblings, Lynne and Joe; her beloved sister-in-law, Lorie; her nephews and niece, Joseph, Jeffrey, Jason, Jacob and Jaycee; and her grand nephews and niece Caleb, Caden, Jase and Kiley. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, John.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Save the Children or encourages others to help someone in need, as Anne so often did in her life.

“Death is that state in which one exists only in the memory of others, which is why it is not an end. No goodbyes. Just good memories.” – Star Trek: The Next Generation