It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Ann Lister. She passed away unexpectedly and peacefully in her sleep at her home in Springtown, TX on Monday, October 6, 2025. Ann was born in San Jose, CA to Jo Davis and Ralph Waldemar Frost on January 8, 1954. She now joins her parents and younger sister in eternal peace and is survived by her twin brother, Daniel.
Ann received a degree in Christian Education from the Moody Bible Institute and Graduate Degree from the Dallas Baptist University in Chemistry/Biology. Ann was an extraordinary woman who also served her country honorably in the United States Navy and travelled the world making many connections. She became a licensed customs broker and worked as a trade consultant for Circle International before joining Texas Instruments as their Global Compliance Manager.
After the tragic events of 9/11, Ann co-founded the International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA) with her good friend, Lynda Thomas, over a conversation in a coffee shop with nothing but a contact list. They held their first ICPA conference in San Diego in 2003 and you can view this video to hear all about their origin story.
After becoming the Chief Operating Officer for ICPA in 2011, Ann was a fearless leader who grew the organization to over 3,000 members and considered many to be part of her extended family. It was common for Ann to know the names of your parents, children, grandchildren, and pets! She had a heart of gold and was always there to lend a helping hand to any ICPA member, even their extended family. The entire ICPA community will miss her leadership and friendship. It will be hard to imagine our first ICPA conference without her strong presence.
Ann is survived by her only daughter, Elisabeth Sherrell, and her beloved grandchildren, Victoria, Aurora, and Zoey, as well as Jermiah and Jimmal Kincaide through her adopted son. Her sweet dog, Dixie, is being cared for by family. Ann also loved animals and spent time as a volunteer at her church where she had many friends in her book and bible clubs.
Ann was a mother, grandmother, visionary, and friend to many that were blessed to know her. God has called Ann home where she can now rest peacefully with her lord and savior. Ann's family is planning a Celebration of Life Memorial at Saint Annes Church at 10 am on Saturday, 10/25 located at 6055 Azle Avenue in Fort Worth, TX 76135.
Elisabeth was born into the ICPA organization and will lead it going forward to honor Ann’s legacy. ICPA has put together this Memorial Board to leave your favorite pictures, videos, and comments to celebrate Ann’s life that we will be sharing during her memorial, future conferences, and on our website.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Ann can be made to the ICPA Lister-Thomas Scholarship Foundation that funds college students and those with a passion for international trade compliance. We appreciate any donation you can make that will honor Ann's memory and what she built at ICPA. If you would like to send a check, please make payable to ICPA, Inc. with reference to the Lister-Thomas Scholarship Fund and mail to P.O. Box 161056, Fort Worth, TX 76161.
Thank you for your support during this difficult time for the ICPA family. Please continue to keep Elisabeth and her family in your thoughts and prayers.