Ann Hunt Smith

With three deep sweet breaths, Ann “Mama Ann” Hunt Smith’s spirit left her body to be with our Lord while holding the hand of her loving youngest daughter early Friday morning, April 21, 2023. Ann was 86 years of age having lived an eventful and Godly life. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, she was the only child of two educators, administrators, and activists, William Earl Hunt and Carol Louise Walker. Her parents recognized and encouraged her musical gifts early on. At five years old she met and became inspired by Marian Anderson, the renowned African American contralto who performed opera to spirituals. Ann would go on to use her talent to achieve much in her lifespan - public school teacher, choral conductor, composer, playwright, journalist, Civil Rights activist, motivational speaker, and internationally acclaimed clinician and authority in “Black Music in Historical Perspective." Ann graduated from the segregated J. W. Ligon High School in the 1950s. She furthered her education in music composition at Virginia State College in Petersburg, VA, majoring in Vocal Music Education. In 1958 segregation laws prohibited her from attending the University of North Carolina for graduate study. After challenging this practice, the State of North Carolina awarded her a grant to attend another university of her choice. She chose the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where she received a Masters in Music for Composition and Arranging. Ann’s first teaching job was at Norwayne High School in Goldsboro, NC. She then moved back to her hometown to teach at her alma mater, Ligon High. In 1967 she founded the Ligon Jubilee Singers who traveled throughout the eastern United States sharing the African American story of faith and resilience from slavery through the civil rights movement. One hundred students participated in the first performance as an act of nonviolent protest against racism and to encourage dialogue, reconciliation, and healing. After Ligon became integrated and the group dissolved in 1972, Ann developed a one-woman show based on “Black Music in a Historical Perspective '' in which she performed for mixed audiences from Utah to Africa. As her notoriety expanded, she was asked to write and direct the music for an epic outdoor drama that would run for 23 seasons. “Pathway to Freedom'' was an exciting account of the struggles and heroism of the 1840s and 1850s along the 'Underground Railroad' from North Carolina to Indiana. She went on to create and direct music for two more outdoor dramas. During her teaching career, Ann worked with youth at West Cary High, Mary Phillips High, Ligon Junior High, and Garner Middle Schools. Also, she served as the Choral Director for the NC Correctional Center for Women for five years and produced 11 music-related publications. Upon retiring, Ann was awardedthe Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian award for service to the state of North Carolina granted by the Office of the Governor. In 2007 Ann moved to Georgia to be closer to her children. She focused her time and energy on serving God, family, and her new community. She published Praying Through…Building Faithfulness Through Journaling to encourage others to deepen their faith and communicate more effectively with God. She also contributed to two anthologies. Ann was married to and later divorced from the late John Mitchell Jones, Jr. of Richmond, VA (1958-1965) and Arthur Smith, of New York, NY (1983-2007). To the first union were born two daughters, Carol Jones Hunter (Anthony) and Joniese Jones White (Gregory). Her daughters gifted her with five grandchildren whom she named her “Pride” Nigel Hunter, “Joy'' Nia Hunter Alford (Todd), “Contentment” Noah Ernest Gregory White, “Satisfaction” Jordyn Michele White, and “Fulfillment” Jewel Lilli-Ann White. She has three great-grandchildren, Kobi Elijah, Shiloh Aden, and Ori Anthony Alford. Ann was one of the oldest and beloved cousins to members of the Scarborough, Walker, and Sturdivant families. She also leaves behind a cherished sister-in-law, Ernestine Jones Bailey, and several nieces and nephews. Ann loved the Lord! Early in her Christian walk, she learned how essential it was to submit daily to hearing from God. For more than 30 years, Ann’s quiet times were devoted to reading and pondering over the Holy Scriptures, journaling through Psalms, interceding in prayer for family, friends, and the Body of Christ. She developed an intimacy with God and a spiritual maturity in the faith that sustained her through all types of adverse situations. God granted Ann the spiritual gifts of Exhortation and Encouragement. Ann’s pattern for years had been to sit before the Lord and allow the Spirit to direct her gifts. Through cards, calls, texts, and later FaceBook, she ministered to others across the country. She leaves behind a host of spiritual daughters and sons and a fellowship of dear friends from her places of worship - Rochester Heights Church of Christ, Raleigh, NC, Brooks Avenue Church of Christ, Raleigh, NC, Hillcrest Church of Christ, Decatur, GA and Stonecrest Church of Christ, McDonough, GA. At Stonecrest, she would fervently intercede for others in the Prayer Warrior Ministry with her dear sisters in Christ, Betty Simmons, Delia Prescod, and others. Affectionately known as “Mama Ann”, we thank God for her well lived life.

Ann Hunt Smith

January 18, 1937 - April 21, 2023