Ann Johnson Willson

Ann Rouse Johnson Willson, 80 passed away on Christmas Day, Friday, December 25 at home with her family after a yearlong battle with esophageal cancer. Ann was well known for her big Christmas parties, so it was only fitting that this would be the day she left us.

Born in Greensboro, NC on February 27, 1940 to the late Bessie Annie Butler and James Pope Johnson, Ann is survived by her husband of 59 years, Horace Smythe Willson, daughters Jennifer Ann Conner (Kenneth) of Raleigh, NC and Melissa Smythe Wagenseller (Edwin) of Wilmington, NC and her grandchildren Maxwell Smythe Wagenseller, Mollie Ann Nicholson, Claire Elizabeth Nicholson and Benjamin Holt Wagenseller, sisters Elizabeth Johnson Reid and husband David of Clemmons, NC and Ruth Johnson Haggarty of Greenville, SC. Ann is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ann grew up in Madison, NC where she graduated from Madison High School in 1958. She was a finalist in the “Miss Madison High” pageant, won first prize in an essay contest “What Civilian defense Means to Me” for the Woman’s Auxiliary, chosen as one of three students as Outstanding by her classmates and teachers to represent their schools in the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Contest. In 1962, Ann graduated from Woman’s College (UNCG) with Honors acquiring her BS in Merchandising. Ann furthered her education at N.C. State University with a Masters in Guidance and Counseling in 1974 where she was awarded Phi Kappa Phi’s highest academic honor. Ann started her 30 year human resources career at Meredith College as the Assistant Director of Career Services and Instructor of Assertive Training from 1976-1978. Ann worked in human resources for The City of Raleigh and Northern Telecom before she started her own company; Human Resource Directions. Ann’s career achievements included HR consulting for corporate, public, and higher education organizations. She received wide media attention, including recognition in two college texts for her professional and community activities relating to HR management. While working as an independent consultant with Human Resource Directions, she taught a course called HR Management at Duke University’s Continuing Studies program.

Ann was a fabulous cook with one of her favorite dishes being Ossobuco. She was a collector of fine art, avid reader, political “junky”, dog lover, landscape designer, and loved researching her family’s history. Ann was a huge fan of all music, but especially Rock n Roll. Ann was a proud supporter of equality for all and women in particular.

Due to the current Covid-19 crisis, Ann’s large extended family will wait until it is safe for them to be together to celebrate Ann’s life.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ann’s memory can be made to: Planned Parenthood (Weareplannedparenthood.org) or Heartland Hospice (Heartlandhospicefund.org)

Ann’s family would like to thank the staff at Rex Hospital and UNC Hospital who took excellent care of her when she was hospitalized during the pandemic. We would also like to thank Ann’s Home Hospice nurse Kelli Walker from Heartland Hospice.

“Take a Load off (F)Annie”

From the song ‘The Weight’ by Ann’s favorite group, The Band. Ann had the hospital staff play their music when she was getting her scans and would listen to them often with her music loving daughter Melissa.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.