Mrs. Ann Williams

Obituary For Mrs. Ann Williams

“My Lord is all I need. He takes care of me. My share in life has been pleasant; My part has been beautiful.” – Psalm 16:5-6 (NCV)

Ann Reneé DeWitt Williams, 82 of High Point, NC, peacefully entered her eternal home on April 10, 2026. Ann was born on June 2, 1943, in Kingston, New York to the late Hattie Sedonia Taylor DeWitt and Cornelius Hasbrouck DeWitt. She was the middle child of five siblings: the late Muriel Eunice DeWitt Irvis (Rev. Howard), Sandra Olivia DeWitt Culmer, the late Donald LeFevre DeWitt (Geraldine), and the late Ward Taylor DeWitt, Sr. (Mary).

Ann was an exceptional sister, daughter, niece, aunt, friend, and companion. She shared deep love for her family, especially her goddaughter and niece, Eryn. During her early years, the DeWitt family resided in Albany, NY, and was one of the founding families of Walls Temple AME Zion Church. Ann actively participated in church programs and grew in Christian principles, values, and beliefs. As a teenager, Ann’s beloved aunt and uncle, the late Rosa V. Taylor Winchester and Clarence M. Winchester of Greensboro, NC helped rear her and welcomed her into their home. She began attending Dudley High School in Greensboro but continued her schooling and graduated from the historic Boylan Haven Mather Academy, a private African American boarding school in Camden, SC. She matriculated to Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD to pursue undergraduate studies, and would graduate from Coppin State University in 1965. As an undergraduate student, Ann served as a community activist, participating in civil rights demonstrations in Baltimore. Through these efforts, Ann exemplified strength, perseverance, and honor, even as she faced arrest while standing up for the rights of others. During this time, Ann married her late husband, Lewis “Lou” E. Williams, and remained a part of his caring and loving family, and in contact with his sister, Ms. Sheila Jones. In 1968, Ann began her professional career as a Correctional Officer at the Maryland Correctional Institute for Women in Jessup, MD, where she modeled a strong work ethic and regard for others. Her interpersonal skills, exemplary supervision, and leadership qualities earned her promotions and appointments as Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. During her tenure, she worked as a supervisor in both the Women’s and Men’s Halfway Houses in Baltimore. After working 20 years for the Maryland Division of Corrections, Ann retired and received recognition for her dedication, commitment, and service. While still living in Maryland, Ann attained her real estate license and pursued residential sales. She also met the late Darryl Powell, who would become a beloved friend, her long-term partner, and an uncle within the family.

In 2004, Ann moved to NC with her sister, Sandra, and her niece, Eryn Culmer to be closer to her sister, Muriel in Statesville, and her niece, Pamela Irvis Hunter in High Point, NC. Seeking new challenges and a new career, Ann returned to the workforce as a support professional with Life Span Services, assisting individuals with disabilities for several years. Her resilience, faith in God, and steadfast commitment to the church led her to become a member of St. Stephen Metropolitan AME Zion Church in High Point, and later, Swift Street AME Zion Church in Greensboro. Ann served the congregations as Lay Council President, a class leader, a missionary, and a member of various choirs within the church. Her passion for ministry, music, and singing drove her to join the Greensboro District and Glenn Burleigh Concert choirs and to participate in events throughout the Triad area. Devoted to church and dedicated to the choirs, Ann focused equally on quality leisure time. She enjoyed going to the beach, traveling, spending holidays with family, and moments of connection with friends and community members.

In addition to her parents and noted relatives, Ann was also preceded in death by nephews, Donald LeFevre DeWitt, Jr., Howard William Irvis, Jr., Frederick Charles Irvis, and Ronald Carl Iirvis.

She leaves to cherish her memory, a sister, Sandra DeWitt Culmer, niece and goddaughter, Eryn Noelé DeWitt Culmer of High Point, NC; sisters-in-love, Mary Ferguson DeWitt, and Lois Morris of Albany, NY, and Sheila Jones of Baltimore, MD; nieces and nephews: Mark Andre DeWitt and Monika DeWitt of Durham, NC; Karen Eileen DeWitt of Baltimore, MD; Pamela Irvis and William K. “Pete” Hunter of High Point, NC; Dearthrice Aaron DeWitt of Burlingame, CA; Ward Taylor DeWitt, Jr., and Sara Ashley DeWitt of Albany, NY, and cousins-in-law, Sharon and Jackie Blake of Baltimore, MD.

Ann’s life will always be remembered and fondly cherished by her church families, extended and adopted family, numerous great-nieces and nephews, and friends – the Taylor family, DeWitt family, Irvis family, the Williams and Blake family, the Hunter family, the Cousar family, and the Marion family – who loved her dearly.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Stephen Metropolitan AME Zion Church, 1012 Leonard Ave. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Interment will be at Albany Rural Cemetery, Albany, NY. at a later date.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.

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