Joanne (Vann) Williams

Clinton

Joanne Vann Williams, 89 of Roanoke Road, passed away with her family by her side Sunday, October 1st, 2023, at Sampson Regional Medical Center.

A memorial service to celebrate Joanne’s life will be held Thursday, October 5 at 11:00 AM at Hopewell Methodist Church, 4641 Church Road, Newton Grove, NC, with Rev. Tim Seigh, Rev. Matt Seals, and Rev. Richard Vaughan officiating.

Born in 1933 in Sampson County, Joanne was the daughter of the late Hugh S. Vann and Pauline Baggett Vann and the widow of her husband of over 67 years, Joseph Henry Williams. At the age of five, Joanne lost her mother, and then she and her siblings moved to the Vann homeplace where they lived with their grandmother, Portia Vann, and uncle and aunt, John and Parker Thornton.

Joanne proudly served the Vann Crossroads community, Hopewell Methodist Church, and her family, her greatest accomplishment and joy She was organist for over 70 years and served on various committees at Hopewell. She also served the state and community in her professional career as State President of the NCAEOP, a member of the local State Employees Credit Union Board, and as a founding employee and comptroller of Sampson Technical Institute, now Sampson Community College.

Joanne is survived by her daughter, Mary Jo Carr, and husband, Hugh of Clinton; her son, Steve Williams, and wife, Delores of Clinton; seven grandchildren: Jonathan Williams (CharlesAnna), Reed Williams (Brittany), Kathryn W. Waters (Ryan), Elizabeth C. Andrews (Phillip), Sarah C. Stone (Matt), Hannah C. Baxter (Tyler), and Rachel C. Grantham (Dalton); and was also blessed with fifteen great-grandchildren; sister, Jeanne Jackson of Jacksonville and sister-in-law, Judy Vann of Spartanburg, SC.  

In addition to her parents and husband Joanne was preceded in death by two brothers: Hugh S. Vann, Jr., and Paul Baggett Vann.

The family is especially grateful to Joanne’s loving caregivers, Ermanese Thomas and Paula Brunson.  

The family will receive friends following the service on Thursday at the church and other times at the home of her daughter, Mary Jo Carr, 1111 Airport Road, Clinton, NC.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.royalhallfuneralhome.com.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in her memory to Hopewell Methodist Church.

Royal-Hall is honored to serve the Williams family.

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