Congratulations to Claude Ann Huddleston Burton for receiving the Exemplary Award for 2025. Although she would tell you that she is not a quilter, that does not prevent her from having a deep love for beautiful quilts that was instilled in her by family members, including her mother, Lora Huddleston. Claude Ann has served as a faithful member on the Upper Cumberland Quilt Board for 7 years and was a volunteer worker for 11 years at the Quilt Festival before serving on the Board. She has performed various duties including 1) assisting with verifying quilt entries/receiving quilts at the beginning of the Quilt Festival, 2) working with judges who select the winning quilts, and 3) serving as a site coordinator and docent at the White Plains Historic Home.

  Claude Ann Huddleston Burton is a name well known to many individuals and families in the Upper Cumberland area. She was born and raised in Putnam County and has lived in Cookeville all of her life except for 2 years when she lived on the Homestead in Cumberland County while teaching school there. She was a Home Economics teacher in Putnam County where she taught her students the art of homemaking (essential life) skills. She is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and has been active with the Women’s organization for over 60 years. She has been a member of DAR for over 30 years while serving as Regent, Treasurer, and Parliamentarian as well as serving on State Regent projects. She has been a member of the Friends of White Plains Board since 2013, and she plays a key role in helping to preserve the White Plains Historic Home. 

Claude Ann was married to David Burton, and worked alongside him in operating Burton Construction Company for many years. She also used her keen and creative sense of business skills as owner/operator of Annie’s Trunk Consignment Shop here in Cookeville. Upon their retirement, they had a mutual hobby of collecting depression glass/glassware and were members of the Fostoria Glass Society of Tennessee. She became well known as a local glass collector. 

Claude Ann and her husband were blessed with two daughters, Mary Chaffin and Lora Bohannon. She is the proud grandmother of four granddaughters and four great grandchildren. Her favorite past-time since being retired has been playing cards with many groups of friends.