Anne Johnson McChesney

Florence Anne Johnson was born on May 31, 1928 in the family home at 327 Pinner Street in Suffolk, VA to Florence Bell Sutton Johnson and Horace Fitzhugh Johnson. The cinder block structure was home to Anne and her older siblings, Horace Francis Johnson and Margaret Hester Johnson Tew. Her father worked for the Benthall Manufacturing Company, a short walk across the old wooden Pinner Street railroad bridge in front of their home, casting parts for the “Benthall Machine,” a device that revolutionized harvesting of peanuts by picking and stemming at the same time yielding a higher profit.

With much older siblings, Anne spent her days “at her mother’s skirts” learning to cook and clean for the family. Anne could often be found on the screen porch glider, where she read and waited for her brother, sister or father to return from school or work. The pie safe, located on the side porch, held sweets from the kitchen and is still in use by the family today.

Anne attended Suffolk High School where she participated in Glee Club (Vice President), The Peanut yearbook (photographic editor & proofreader) and the Playmakers’ Club (secretary). The Peanut states that Anne was a member of an elite double singing quartet. Anne often sang on the local radio station located above Russell’s Drug Store and Soda Shop. Her signature song was Hoagy Carmical’s “Stardust,” with repertoire added as sheet music became available.

Anne matriculated to Greensboro College in North Carolina where she graduated with a degree in Music Education. An avid swimmer, Anne was part of the synchronized swim team at the college until such time that her voice instructor strongly encouraged her to choose one or the other. Fortunately for music education, she chose to sing. During her musical journey, Graham Clark McChesney was appointed the new minister at Suffolk Presbyterian Church where Anne “chased him until he caught her.” They were married at Suffolk Presbyterian Church on July 7, 1951.

Throughout Graham’s ministry in churches across North Carolina, Anne played a role in the early formation of the music ministry at the church by directing and accompanying the choir and providing worship music. Anne provided leadership on the piano and nurtured choirs; she provided additional care to congregants recovering from illness or who lost someone, and always checked in the nursery or sanctuary for young ones. She never lost her love of children, and would gravitate to babies whether it be at church, a restaurant, concert, or other gathering.

Anne was a member of The Charlotte Oratorio Society, which performed with the Charlotte Symphony at Freedom Park and Ovens Auditorium. While in Wilmington, Anne began an illustrious career as an elementary school general music teacher and helped to revitalize the city with a rich tradition of culture. Armed with her teaching certificate, she loaded up her car with music books, instruments and resources, and began her work with students at numerous schools in the county. Anne recalled that when her car would pull into the parking lot, teachers would send students out to gather up the materials for that day’s lessons. Anne joined Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary organization for women educators in June of 1970 and was an active member for fifty-five years. As a lifelong learner, she participated in professional development across the state and country, often with the entire family in tow. After retiring from public school teaching, Anne taught in the music education program at UNC-Wilmington. Anne’s commitment to students and music literacy would make a lasting impact, with many students still remembering her enthusiasm and love for teaching music. She fully retired in 1982.

Anne resided for the past nine years at Woodland Terrace, in Cary, where she enjoyed meeting new friends and sharing stories from a life well lived. She is survived by son Clark and wife Peggy McChesney of San Antonio, TX and their sons Chris (partner Roxanne McCord) and Greg (Stacey); daughter Kathy and husband Wayne Gurganious of Raleigh and their daughter Becca Caldwell (Jon) and son Jeremy; son David and wife Elisabeth McChesney of Raleigh and their son Tim and daughter Caroline (fiancée Jordan Bissette); great-grandsons Bryson, Graham and Luke; great-granddaughter Charlee.

A celebration of her life and service of witness to her resurrection will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 15th at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Rd., Cary, led by the Rev. Jim Ferry, retired from First Presbyterian Garner, a church connection which remained important to Anne and Graham. The family will gather from 12:45-1:45 to receive visitors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St Jude's Hospital for Children in her name, Anne McChesney.