Jo Ellen Williams Ammons

Jo Ellen Williams Ammons died peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, February 21, 2014. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister and grandmother who spent her life in service to God, her family and her community.

Jo Ellen always put others first, even after being diagnosed with leukemia last February. Rather than complain, she told jokes and stories to get through countless hours of chemotherapy and medical treatment – whatever it took to cheer up those around her, nurses, doctors and loved ones alike.

Jo Ellen was born on May 7, 1935 in Monroe, North Carolina. While attending Meredith College in Raleigh, she met her husband, Jud, and they were married July 7, 1957 in Monroe. The two spent their early-married years travelling the world while Jud served in the U.S. Air Force. In 1964 they settled in Raleigh and raised four children, Jo Ellen was an active member in every PTA. Jo Ellen worked with Jud to build and decorate many houses, golf communities, and retirement homes from the mountains to the sea. In one day alone she bought 126 sofas! Up until her death, Jo Ellen continued to decorate and update Springmoor Retirement Community.

She was a founding member of Greystone Baptist Church and a Trustee of Meredith College and was involved in numerous other charities.

Jo Ellen and Jud loved filling their days with sporting events and recitals of their thirteen grandchildren. When not watching a grandchild perform, they could usually be found at an N.C. State game or church event.

Jo Ellen was a proud Meredith Angel and the ultimate hostess; she was rarely without an emergency stash of peanut M&M’s in her pocket. A true Southern lady, Jo Ellen inspired those around her with an unwavering commitment to her values, which she lived out daily without ever expecting recognition. Her actions truly spoke louder than her words. Her family, as well as the dozens of community members she served regularly, called her “Mom” and will miss their backbone.

She is survived by her husband, Jud Ammons, of Raleigh, and their children – son Andy, his wife Jan, their daughter Jessie and their sons Max and Drew; son David, his wife Leigh and their daughters Beth and Lauren; daughter Alma Hoffmann, her husband John, their daughters Ana, Tessa and Emma and their son Justus; and son Jeff, his wife Beth, their daughters Mackenzie, Lillie and Brooke and their son, Jack; all of Raleigh – as well as her brother, Craven Williams and his wife Judith, of Greensboro; and her sister, Marilyn Williams Barnhill and her husband Walt Oren, of Winston-Salem. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jessie Massey Williams and John Howard Williams.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25 at Greystone Baptist Church. Jo Ellen’s family invites you to visit with them in her favorite way: over a meal, at 5 p.m. following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please donate, in Jo Ellen’s honor, to one of these foundations that she believed in: The Springmoor Endowment Fund (919-848-7080), The Meredith Fund of Meredith College (919-760-8374), or Greystone Baptist Church (919-847-1333).

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh. Condolences may be made through www.brownwynne.com.