Obituary - Anna Mefford Hurley
HURLEY, Anna Mefford, 100, of Richmond, passed away Monday, April 27, 2026.
Known affectionately to many as “Oma,” Anna lived a long and remarkable life marked by strength, resilience, devotion, and deep love for her family and friends. After enduring the hardships of Nazi Germany, Anna came to the United States and built a life defined by perseverance, service, and family. She was strong-willed, opinionated, and unmistakably herself, and those who knew her best knew the depth of her love and loyalty. Her deep faith in Jesus was a source of strength and comfort and she trusted in His promise of eternal life.
Anna was preceded in death by her husband, James Mefford; her devoted second husband of 25 years, Norman Louis Hurley; and her son, James Ren Mefford.
She is survived by her grandson, James Hunter Mefford (Heather), and their daughters, Olivia and Eloise. She is also survived by Susan Mefford, wife of her late son Ren, and by Teresa Mefford, who remained a loving part of Anna’s family.
Through her marriage to Norman, Anna was blessed with an extended family whom she loved dearly, including her stepchildren, Carolyn Payne (Billy), Chester Hurley (Gayle), and Wendy Porch (Walter). She is also remembered with love by Norman’s grandchildren, Holly Phenes (Michael), Tami Apland, and Tony Jennings (Jennifer), as well as other grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
When Anna came to the United States, she first settled in Massachusetts, where she is lovingly remembered by her Massachusetts family, Richard “Richie” Kruzel, Edward “Ed” Kruzel (Debbie), and the late Neil Kruzel, as well as their children. Over the course of her 100 years, many people came to know and love Anna as family.
Anna spent much of her life in Lakeside, where she formed lasting friendships. She loved to garden, enjoyed time with those close to her, and spent many years in devoted service to others. Among her dear friends were Shahla Pishdad, who faithfully visited and spent many days by her side during Anna’s time in the nursing home and hospice, and Betty Pitts, who became like family after their families settled into the neighborhood around the same time in 1964, among many others.
A visitation and brief Celebration of Life will be held in Anna’s honor on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Woody Funeral Home–Parham, 1771 North Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23229. Friends and family are invited to gather, pay their final respects, and celebrate Oma’s life and her passing from the suffering of this world into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
