Ann Permenter grew up on a farm in Shelby County, Texas and finished high school at Shelbyville High School in 1946.  She graduated from Meadows-Draughan Business College in Shreveport, La, and worked in Shreveport until W.S. completed his military assignment.  They were married soon after his return.


In 1948 they moved to Huntsville, Texas where W.S. finished college and Ann worked at Texas Prison System in the records department.  She was a "stay at home mom" for a few years before the family moved to Cedar Hill where they daughter, Nancy, attended school.  Ann worked for the Cedar Hill school system for about four years, then for E & E Manufacturing almost 10 years.  She then worked for several accounting firms in Dallas, and with Henry S. Miller Real Estate.  After Nancy left for college, Ann attended Northlake College and received an Associate Degree in Real Estate.  She worked for several realtors before she and W.S. opened Permenter Real Estate.

It was during her studies in real estate that she became ambitious about the restoration of downtown Cedar Hill.  She says this was the most exciting work she was ever associated with.  So many dear friends were as enthusiastic and cooperative in the projects as she and W.S. were, and they were the encouragement needed to get the jobs done.  Ann says after their "next retirement" they traveled by RV throughout America.

Ann's most appreciated claim to fame (aside from being married to W.S.) is the "Certificate of Commendation for Distinguished Service in the Field of Historic Preservation" awarded to her by the Texas Historical Commission in November 1980.  Ann says this certificate could not have been achieved without the wonderful Cedar Hill citizens.  Though Ann now resides with her daughter in Forest, Virginia she is still considered a most beloved citizen of Cedar Hill whom we we have been dearly blessed to have a part of our community.