Mary Ann (Williams) Hill

Mary Ann Williams Hill, age 91, of Newton Grove, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2026 with her family by her side, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, love, and service. Born May 1, 1934 in Johnston County, she was the devoted daughter of the late Mary Lee and John Shannon Williams and the beloved wife of the late Edward Johnson Hill. Her life was defined by a deep commitment to her family, her community, and the ideals of hard work, courage, and tenacity.

After graduating from East Carolina University, Mary Ann married Edward in 1959. Their marriage was a testament to love, devotion, and shared purpose. In the early years, the couple traveled with the military before returning to their roots in Newton Grove, where Mary Ann taught school for 20 years and together they built a life centered on family, service, and enterprise.

Together, Mary Ann and Edward ran a Red & White grocery store in Newton Grove, Blue Ribbon Coin Laundry in Smithfield, managed family farmland, and ultimately established a real estate and auction business, Hill Realty & Auction, that became a fixture in the community. Following Edward’s passing in 1994, Mary Ann not only sustained the business they built together but expanded it with exceptional skill, vision, and tenacity. Mary Ann’s fierce determination was evident in all areas of her life. When plans for the I-40 highway threatened her family’s farmland, she fought tirelessly to protect their heritage and homestead. Refusing to give in, she successfully secured historic registry status for her property and collaborated with state leaders, one of which was the late Senator Jesse Helms, to reroute the highway — literally moving the course of progress to preserve her family’s legacy. This remarkable feat stands as a testament to her resolve and her love for the land she called home.

Mary Ann was a devoted and faithful member of Newton Grove Methodist Church, where her steady presence reflected her deep and abiding love for Jesus Christ. She found comfort in Scripture, and faithfully taught Sunday School, sharing God’s Word with conviction, and investing in the spiritual lives of generations within her church family as well as within her own family. She loved the Lord.

She was a devoted mother to Edward Flintom “Flint” Hill of Wilmington, NC (wife Connie Weatherspoon Hill) and Melissa Ann Hill Liles of Clinton, NC (husband Kenneth Liles). A proud grandmother to Kristen Walker, Grayson Zane Hill, and Edward Gage Hill, and four great-grandchildren. She “rocked those babies”, as she would always say and delighted in every moment with her family, and her legacy continues through them who knew her as a beloved matriarch, storyteller, and source of strength.

She is also survived by her loving sister, Judi Williams Troutman, of Raleigh, and her devoted brother, Phillip Williams, of Newton Grove.

Mary Ann took immense pride in her ancestry and was the family’s devoted historian, often retelling family stories and the history of her land to her grandchildren. She attended Lee family reunions with joy and dedication, carefully preserving historical photographs, documents, and treasured ephemera that told the story of generations past. She understood that legacy mattered — and she ensured that the history of her family would never be forgotten.

Mary Ann spoke her mind, stood her ground, and carried herself with unwavering strength and dignity, loving her people fiercely. Mary Ann was truly one of a kind — a matriarch whose strength shaped generations. Her life was defined by purpose, perseverance, faith, family, and fierce determination. She leaves behind a community enriched by her influence, a family forever shaped by her love, and a legacy that will be cherished for generations to come. She will be deeply missed, eternally remembered, and always celebrated.

Services are planned for Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the Newton Grove Methodist Church with visitation at 10:00 am and funeral service at 11:00 am.  Burial wll follow at the Lee Johnson Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Newton Grove Methodist Church, SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, or your favorite charity in her memory. 

Dunn Funeral Home of Newton Grove is honored to serve the family of Mary Ann Williams Hill.

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