Ann Lee Williams

Ann Lee Wesson-Williams was born on November 14, 1948, in the small town of Bingen, Arkansas, to the late Susie and Vernon Wesson. Shortly after Ann’s birth, the Wesson Family moved to the countryside of Anna, Ohio. Ann was the youngest of nine siblings, and she enjoyed playing outside on the farm and naming the animals. She also took pride in caring for her mom’s vegetable garden. The family would get up early in the morning before the sun rose above the cornfields, picking greens and snapping peas. She was skilled in farm-to-table dining.

Ann accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior at a very young age, and attended Bible School and Sunday Service regularly, as did her family. She was raised to honor and obey her Mother and Father, and to live a life of honesty and respect, which she did so gracefully. Ann had a smile that would light up a room, and a spirit of love and forgiveness that represented the God she served. She was a Prayer Warrior and Bible Studier who regularly attended church.

Ann attended Anna’s Local Schools and was the only Black student in her graduating class. During high school, she visited her sisters in Chicago from time to time. On one of her stays, Ann wrote, produced, and starred in her first play at the age of fifteen, at Chicago’s South Side Community Center titled “Friendship”. Once she graduated high school, she worked as a Babysitter, and a year later, she moved to California. Ann settled in Carson, California with her sister Jean Carr when she was nineteen years old. She helped her sister around the house and got a job at the luxury department store, Bullocks, off Wilsher in Los Angeles. During this time, she also studied Cosmetology at Los Angeles Trade Technical College, where she received her Associate of Arts Degree. A few years later, while still working at Bullocks, Ann attended a club called “Name of the Game” where she met the love of her life Fred Lee Williams.

Ann and Fred dated for a few years, traveled the world, and then were married. Ann embraced Fred’s three children (Frenae, Rashida, and Fareed) as her own and showered them with genuine love. Ann and Fred moved into their apartment in Los Angeles, and Ann pursued her desire to help the youth in education. Ann was hired as a Special Education Assistant at Carson High School and later transferred to Manual Arts High School. Ann loved to instill hope in the hearts of the youth. She wanted them to believe that they could achieve anything they wanted in their lives. Also, that they could overcome any obstacle standing in their way. Ann captured the hearts of many teenagers, who would come to her classroom every lunch just to spend time with her.

The power duo decided to move to the Inland Empire in pursuit of buying a house, and to leave the busy Los Angeles life behind. Shortly after, Ann and Fred welcomed their daughter Brighette into their loving arms. Ann continued to commute to Manuel Arts in Los Angeles, from Rialto and would often bring her daughter along for the ride. During this time Fred began working as a Correctional Officer, and Ann took interest in this career as well.

Ann applied for the position, and after a few months of training, she was a Correctional Officer. She was stationed at Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, and unfortunately had to relocate away from her family for a few months. Thankfully, she was hired closer to home, at Chino’s California Institute for Men. During this time, Ann and Fred purchased their first home together in San Bernardino, CA. Ann served as a Correctional Officer for a few years, and then was promoted to Correctional Counselor. She served at the prison as a beacon of hope and support for inmates, and even met several high-crime convicts including “Suge Knight” who gave his number to her. Ann dedicated eighteen years of her life intentionally assisting criminals with reassignments, medical treatments, and visitations. Regrettably, she was forced into retirement, due to a medical injury. She retired with the highest recognition and honor.

After retirement, Ann and Fred turned their San Bernardino home into a Veterans and Sober Living Rehabilitation Center, and purchased their second home together in Winchester, California. Ann alongside her husband, worked hard to assist veterans and individuals looking to build a better life for themselves. When Ann’s soulmate Fred passed away in 2019, Ann sold the house in San Bernardino and focused on spending time with loved ones and traveling the world.

Ann Wesson-Williams was poised and refined as a woman of elegance. Her smile would light up a room, for she had a big smile, with an even bigger heart. Ann had a genuine love and care for people. She never hesitated to help someone in need, nor to give them profound advice. She truly wanted the best for everyone, and would push them to pursue their best life, no matter what. She was an innovator, entrepreneur, artist, writer, actress, motivator, and philanthropist. She was the “hostess with the mostess”, who loved to decorate for the holidays and seasons. Ann enjoyed her last five years traveling the world and capturing memories. She was truly living her best life.

Tragically, Ann was struck by a reckless driver on April 20, 2024, and devastatingly succumbed to her injuries on April 22, 2024. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings: Cecil, Tyree, Hulen, Charlie, Margie, Susie, and most recently Nettie. Ann leaves to cherish her memory a daughter Brighette (Kevin), three bonus children: Frenae, Rashida (Anthony), and Fareed (Nichole), six grandchildren: Brittany, Arrianna, Fareed Jr., Asya, Zara, and Zanavia, one sister Jean, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. Ann will be deeply missed and kept forever in our hearts.

A service for Ann will be held Tuesday, May 14, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM at Miller-Jones Mortuary and Crematory, 23618 Sunnymead Blvd, Moreno Valley, CA 92553. Following the service will be a graveside service from 2:15 PM to 2:45 PM at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Moreno Valley, CA 92518.