Helen Ann Becknell McCabe-Way was born September 5, 1939, in San Angelo, Texas, to Marjorie Ritter Becknell and Howard Stacy Becknell. She grew up in several small towns in West Texas and in 1956 graduated from Reagan County High School in Big Lake. She attended San Angelo Jr. College for one year. On June 27, 1957, she married Douglas Truitt McCabe from Colorado City, Texas, and in August 1957 they moved to Andrews, Texas. Ann and Truitt had four sons: Mike, Terry, Jerry, and Todd. She began working for Atlantic Richfield after the boys started school and worked there for ten years, resigning so that she could return to school and become a teacher. She continued going to school and teaching until she had completed her Master’s in Reading and Administration, and obtained her Mid- Management and Superintendent’s certification, all from UT Permian Basin. Ann taught for eight years, became the first woman principal in Andrews ISD, and then served as Director of Personnel. Truitt passed away in June 1984. After living in Andrews for 37 years, Ann moved to Snyder, Texas, in July 1994 to serve as Assistant Superintendent for Snyder ISD. In July 1997, she moved to Midland to become Director of the Alternative Teacher Certification Program at Region XVIII Education Service Center, retiring in 2002. During her 23 years in education, Ann was a member/officer in numerous educational organizations.
