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Mrs. Annie Chesson Williams, 99, of Pompano Beach, F.L. peacefully passed away in her sleep on Tuesday, November 24, 2020. Annie Gertrude Chesson was born May 3, 1921 in the Big Swamp Community of Washington, the youngest child of the late James Edward Stanley Chesson and Annie Vineyard Lilley.  

Annie was raised on the family tobacco farm in the Big Swamp Community.  She met Coy while he was stationed in Newport News during service in the Merchant Marines, as a tag a long double date with her sister Lena Belle, they courted on the Oakdale Cemetery Wall, and were married on October 16, 1937. Annie remained on the family farm until the war was over and they moved to Pompano Beach, Florida, with a promise to Mrs. Vinnie, that Coy would bring her home at least twice a year, a promise they kept.   

Annie’s first priority was to her family, when needed she would work at the packing house in Pompano, F.L. during harvest season with the family; Wilton Manors Curtain Shop and retired from the Broward County School System in 1975.  After retirement, in 1977, Coy and Annie loaded up an 18’ Winnebago and traveled for 20+ years throughout the United States visiting family and friends. After Coy passed in 2002, Annie moved back to Washington, NC to take care of her sister Lena Belle until her passing in 2012, then she moved back to Pompano, F.L. to live with her daughter.   

She was a kind, sweet, gentle soul, never did you hear an unkind word from her. Annie whole-heartedly loved her family, she was known for sending everyone Birthday and Christmas cards with notes periodically throughout the year, she called them her remembrances.  Annie was always planting flowers or working in the yard and spending time with the children, she would make them laugh with her bear dance and a bit of the Charleston, she was affectionately known by many as Aunt Annie, she made everyone feel important and special. She would laugh when times were tough, she said, “It takes less muscles to laugh and you won’t have wrinkles,”. She lived by her Christian beliefs to the fullest; she read her Bible and devotions daily; she was a lifelong member of the Old Ford Church of Christ, Washington. For many years Annie taught Sunday School at the 4th Avenue Church of God, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Small monthly donations to many Christian organizations allowed them further to spread the Gospel of Christ remaining faithful through various missions work, and she attended the Pompano Beach of Church of God until she was no longer able due to COVID restrictions. Annie desired to Stroll over Heaven with everyone.

Annie was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years Benjamin Coy Williams, Sr.; sons Benjamin Coy Williams, Jr. and James Ferrel Williams; grandson Henry Lee “Buddy” Baxter III; siblings Fannie Mae Gurganus, Lena Belle Calcutt, Earl “Buddy” Norwood, Fernando and Andrew Chesson; including seven half-siblings. Survivors include her daughter Zella Ann Baxter of Pompano Beach, FL; one brother in law – Scoot (Violet) Williams of Labelle, FL; two sister in laws Elaine (Larry) Efird of Deland, FL and Darlene (Chuck) Miller of Anthony, FL; grandchildren – Leann (Doug) Clark of Okeechobee, FL; Juanita (Roger) Weaver of Bronson, FL; Margie Sue (Eric) Oates of Pompano Beach, FL.; Ben (Melanie) Williams of Ft. Lauderdale, F.L., eleven great- grandchildren; twenty-five great- great grandchildren and a vast number of nieces, nephews and cousins.   

Graveside visitation Thursday, December 3, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Oakdale Cemetery in Washington. Funeral service begins at 3:00 p.m. with internment immediately following the ceremony. Officiating will be minister Reggie Braziel of Old Ford Church of Christ. 

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Williams family.