Joann (Hughes) Williamson

It was a Sunday, July 27, 1941. Marie Cobbs labored giving birth to her third child, a girl that she and her husband, James Albert Hughes, Sr. named JoAn (pronounced Joann). As she grew, people mispronounced her name as “Joan." So, she added an extra “N" and reclaimed the pronunciation of her name - Joann.

After graduating from North Carolina Central University in 1963, Joann married her high school sweetheart, John Thomas Williamson. Together they had three children: Karen, Gary and John. Joann was a stay-at-home mom until her youngest child, John, was old enough for her to go to work as a substitute teacher in Fairfax, VA. Upon moving back to NC, she worked as a teacher assistant at Oakwood Elementary School in Caswell County. Due to health complications suffered from an automobile accident that occurred in March 2011, she was forced to retire from the teaching profession she loved. Since then, her daughter, Karen, was her primary caregiver and did so until her passing on Monday, March 25, 2024 at her home in Milton, NC.

Joann was predeceased by her parents, husband John Thomas, son John Marquis, and brother James Albert Hughes, Jr.

She leaves to treasure her memory daughter Karen of the home; son Gary (Teraesa) of Manassas, VA; grandchildren Matthew, Lauren and Lindsey Williamson of Manassas, VA; sisters Betty L. Pritchett (Clyde) of Danville, VA, Jean Humphrey of Bayville, NJ, and Quency Long of Trevose, PA; sister-in-law Queen Williamson of Yanceyville, NC; her nieces, nephews, extended family, and a host of loving friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Joann’s memory to:

Alzheimer’s Disease International

c/o Wipfli LLP

100 tri-State International

Suite 300

Lincolnshire, IL 60069

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