Anna  Evelyn Boles-EL

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” -Nelson Mandela.

Obituary

tribute to Anna



Anna Evelyn Boles—a woman of an eclectic and vibrant nature who walked through life with her own unique and unmistakable flair. Daughter, sister, teacher, mother, cousin, aunt and friend—she moved through life with a spark that was impossible to ignore, and today we honor not just the years she lived, but the energy and originality she brought to every one of them.

Anna’s story started in 1949, in the home of Leroy and Dora Boles, tucked into Cleveland’s Lee/Miles neighborhood. She was the fourth of six children. Even as a kid, she was restless for adventure—exploring the woods near home, picking berries with her brother, chasing after whatever curiosity caught her eye. Those early days outdoors planted the seeds for her lifelong passion with gardening. Anna’s backyard was never just a patch of grass; it was a bursting, living canvas—tomatoes, beans, wildflowers and roses created a haven of rest and play for her. She shared the bounty, too: bags of homegrown veggies, flower bouquets and always a story or two about how potatoes were flourishing this season and what dish she was planning to prepare with the fresh herbs. She was a teacher at heart, always eager to share her knowledge and lessons not just in garden but in life with others.

She was an alum of Cleveland Public Schools, forever quick to say, “I had great teachers.” She credited the staff at The Beehive Elementary and Kanard Junior High and East Technical School with opening her mind to possibility. Their encouragement lit a fire in her—a fire she carried into her 40-year span career as an educator. Anna was never content with rote learning; she wanted her students to dig deeper, to wonder out loud, to see themselves as part of something bigger. She taught reading and history, sure, but her greatest lessons were about staying curious and inspiring wonder. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” -Nelson Mandela. She featured this quote on a recent resume as an intro to her professional summary.

After completing High School, Anna enrolled Cuyahoga Community College where she began completing coursework in theater production. She eventually went on to finish undergraduate studies at Hiram College and graduated there in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theater. In 1975 she completed a certificate program in modeling. In 1986 she completed graduate studies at Kent State University earning a Master of Education degree with a focus on special education. In January of 2001, she earned a Master of Information Systems Management degree from Case Western Reserve University. Anna’s educational journey was never static; she continued to learn, to explore and to grow throughout her life outside of formal education she dedicated much of her free time to self-studies. She was an avid reader who acquired an impressive library of books on a wide range of subjects from history, mysticism, the sciences to philosophy, poetry and literature. Toni Morison was one of her favorite authors.

She self-studied astrology and reading tarot. She sewed, knitted, made jewelry, and sketched. Lately, she’d become inspired by herbalism, creating and branding a “life juice” tonic. She was an inventive cook, always hunting down new recipes or adding her own twist to the classics. And wherever she was—kitchen, classroom, garden—her infectious energy and quick wit filled the room. She had a wicked sense of humor that was often colored by her sharp intellect.

She loved art and the walls of her home were always adorned with prints of African American artists.

Anna did not suffer fools but if she called someone a friend, she meant it and was loyal. Always the teacher, she did not hesitate to share her knowledge of a particular subject that interested her, especially Black history.

Not only was she interested in the history of Black people in America, but the history of her own family has well. Well before Ancestry.com existed, she engaged in the archival research of her family genealogy. Anna believed, as many other cultures do, that our ancestors are always with us and that they guide and protect us. It was important to her to honor and remember them. As we are doing for her today. She is now with the ancestors.

Her legacy is everywhere: in the students who found their voice because she believed in them, in the children and grandchildren she raised to be independent and brave, in the friends and neighbors who felt seen and valued in her company. Anna believed that education isn’t just what you find in a book—it’s the courage to ask questions, the humility to admit what you don’t know, and the joy of sharing what you do. If we keep living that way—curious, bold, irreverent, and open-hearted—her spirit will never leave us.

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January 31, 2026

Anna and the Brick City Players

Ananda Sotherland

January 31, 2026

Anna’s early career in theater and teaching young people.

Ananda Sotherland

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Anna  Boles-EL

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