Ann Niemeyer Williamson

Ann Niemeyer Williamson died peacefully on September 4, 2026. Born on August 10, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts, she grew up in Avondale near Atlanta, Georgia, and later graduated from St. Mary's College and the University of Georgia. Upon graduation, she moved to Florence, South Carolina, where much of her mother's family lived, taught second grade at Wallace Gregg Elementary, and met Ben Williamson on a blind date. Ann and Ben were married on February 17, 1968, and moved to Oaklyn Plantation, Ben's family farm, where they built a home near his parents, raised their three children, and embraced the farming life they would share for the rest of their lives.

Ann was an active community member and deeply involved with St. Matthew's Church. She served as a Sunday school teacher, a member of the altar guild, a longtime host of the annual Easter Egg Hunt, and a loyal supporter of the St. Matthew's choir, roles that reflected her devotion to community.

Beyond the church, Ann gave her time generously to the Darlington Free Medical Clinic, St. Anthony's Catholic School, and Byrnes Academy. She was a member of the Over The Teacups Club, the Old Homestead Club, and the Pee Dee Town Committee of the NSCDA-SC (Colonial Dames). For many years, she oversaw the Colonial Dames' history scholarship for students at Coker College and Francis Marion University; the award now bears her name.

Ann also helped secure the designation of South Charleston Road as a Local Scenic Byway, the first such designation in South Carolina.

Throughout her life, Ann made a deliberate and continual effort to welcome newcomers to the community and to cultivate relationships with her in-laws and extended family. She took pride in the life she and Ben built, especially the time on shady porches, where she hosted guests frequently. There, and on hot summer afternoons in the cool waters of Black Creek, she welcomed family and friends with the same generosity that marked so much of her life. Many will remember her through her delicious cooking, picnic lunches, and in-home concerts.

In her later years, as verbal communication became more difficult, the twinkle in Ann's eyes and her smile continued to convey her delight in family and in the longtime friends who visited with her.

During this time, Ann developed close relationships with her caretakers, especially Mary Ervin.

Ann is survived by Ben, her husband of 58 years; her brother, Jon; her children, Frank Williamson (Spring), Jennie Pezé (Vincent), and Carroll Williamson (Collins); and her grandchildren, Louise, Arlo, Virginia, Ben, Genevieve, and Eliza.

The family will hold a private burial. A memorial service is planned for 2:00 p.m. on November 27th at St. Matthew's Church in Darlington. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to one of Ann's favorite things: St. Matthew's Church Music Fund, 210 S. Main Street, Darlington, SC 29532.