‘Ray of sunshine’ Anastasia Sloan honored in celebration of life

The friends and family of the Anastasia Sloan gathered to celebrate her immensely impactful life in the Ezell Center’s Swang Chapel Wednesday night. “She was such a ray of sunshine,” Walt Leaver, vice president for university relations, said. Ms. Sloan, a 2013 graduate of Lipscomb University, lost her life in an auto accident late Monday night. “As we have all mourned greatly in the past couple of days and will continue to do so over the days and weeks ahead, the purpose of tonight is to bring a message of hope,” said Mark Jent, the director of missions outreach for Lipscomb. Jent and his wife Beth were Ms. Sloan’s team leaders on two mission trips to Australia in 2010 and 2011. “She has been a blessing and joy in our life,” Jent said. During the service, those in attendance joined in worship, prayer and reflections of Ms. Sloan’s life and impact. “I think the greatest blessing for me is knowing her heart,” friend Kaylynn Allen said. “She loved people.” Shuen Lim, of Brisbane, Australia, came to know Ms. Sloan during one of Lipscomb’s mission trips. “I was just blown away by her adventurous spirit,” Lim said. “She was so brave to go and bless the world.” Dean Scott McDowell, senior vice president for student life, recounted reading some of Ms. Sloan’s blog posts on the website for the World Race, a mission trip she was planning on going on later this year. He recommended that everyone in attendance go back and read Ms. Sloan’s powerful words. “You will be blessed by doing that,” McDowell said. Various memories were shared from the...

Alum Anastasia Sloan remembered for good friendship, radiant smile

Update: A celebration of life for Ms. Sloan was held in the Ezell Swang Chapel Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Former Lipscomb University student Anastasia Sloan died in a highway accident late Monday night. Ms. Sloan was driving on Interstate 40 West when her vehicle went off the right shoulder. She over-corrected and crossed both lanes of traffic before going into a guardrail. The vehicle overturned and rested in the middle of the road, and Ms. Sloan was ejected, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s report. The report says she was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. Ms. Sloan, 23, graduated from the university in May 2013 with a degree in organizational communication and public relations. She was also a member of the Pi Delta social club during her time as a student. The university released a statement on Ms. Sloan’s passing, sharing their condolences to all impacted by the loss. “The Lipscomb community is saddened by the sudden loss of alumna Anastasia Sloan, as we are with the loss of any of our alumni across the country and around the world,” the statement read. “Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends as they navigate this difficult time.” Aerial Ellis, one of Ms. Sloan’s teachers, spoke to the kind of person she was. “Anastasia was an awesome person,” Ellis said. “She was very bold and confident. I can always depend on her to be a leader and to stand out. “She always had a heart for community, and she loved learning about public relations and was really excited about the career ahead...

The Biscuit Lady

Carol Fay Ellison, known in town and across the country as “The Biscuit Lady,” passed away April 5. She brought nationwide fame to the Loveless Cafe as the creator of its fluffy buttermilk biscuits. Babbler Editor Matt McMillin worked with Ellison at the restaurant. Last year, he and Bill Hartwig produced this audio slideshow featuring...