Ann Goodson Faust

1938 - 2024

Ann Goodson Faust

October 19, 1938 - December 31, 2023

Raleigh, North Carolina - Ann Goodson Faust, 85, died peacefully at home on Sunday morning. She was happy, following weeks of togetherness, celebration and conversation with family and friends after a recent cancer diagnosis. Ann's mind was keen and ready to tackle the prescribed treatment plan. It is a blessing that her body knew better and God's plan for her prevailed. She enjoyed life right up to her death, cheering her beloved Duke Blue Devils to a bowl game victory and telling silly jokes at Christmas dinner.

A terrific mother and sister, Ann was also a devoted and faithful friend, neighbor, sports fan, public servant, and church lay leader. She served Edenton Street United Methodist Church in many capacities and cherished the love, learning and kinship of her Foundry Fellowship family for more than 50 years.

Ann was born in Greensboro to the late Bishop W. Kenneth Goodson and Martha Ogburn Goodson.

She grew up across NC's western piedmont, moving whenever her Methodist preacher father was appointed to a new church. She had a soft spot for High Point where she often took the bus downtown for a dime and enjoyed movies and popcorn all day for a nickel. On one outing, young Ann met Lash LaRue and a love of cowboy westerns began. Despite moving to Charlotte her senior year, her allegiance was to RJ Reynolds High in Winston-Salem where she formed lifelong friendships and met her future husband, Larry.

Ann graduated from Duke University with a degree in Religious Studies in 1961. She and Larry married later that summer and moved to Herzogenaurach Germany with the US Army. Living with locals rather than on base, the young family was embraced by a special Oma who helped care for baby Greg.

They returned to Winston-Salem in 1964 and Sally was born soon thereafter. A tight-knit circle of Reynolds and Centenary UMC friends were godsends when Greg died in 1967 and remained so throughout Ann's life. In 1969, with Nancy and Stephen now part of the family, they moved to Raleigh and set down roots in the new neighborhood of Quail Hollow, which became Ann's home for nearly 50 years. Ann was active in her children's sports and education, an advocate for public school integration, a longtime docent at the NC Museum of History and later, a spirited Grand Marblette. She loved gardening, reading, teaching, tailgating, and knowing every bird in the sky.

In the 1980s Ann earned a paralegal certificate at Meredith College. She worked for years in the Raleigh office of Patton Boggs prior to serving in the NC General Assembly as Legislative Assistant and sidekick for Representative Martha Alexander. Ann was a steady guide for constituents and a passionate voice for democracy. Following retirement, she moved to The Oaks at Whitaker Glen and fast expanded her circle of friends. Ann never met a stranger and was a second mom to her children's friends, in childhood and beyond. She was a comforting, knowledgeable, wise, and witty force in so many lives.

Ann is survived by her children, Sally Faust Edwards (Jim) of Raleigh and Stephen Faust (Andrea) of Union Grove NC; her brother, Ken Goodson (Doris) of Charlotte; her sister, Nancy Goodson Richey (Dilmus) of Birmingham AL; former husband, Larry Faust of Chilhowie, VA; and many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her children, Greg Faust and Nancy Faust.

A Memorial Service Celebrating Ann's Life will be held Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Edenton St. United Methodist Church in Raleigh, followed by a reception. Sunday-best hats are welcome.

Memorial gifts may be made to Edenton Street UMC, 228 W. Edenton Street Raleigh, NC 27603; Goodson Chapel at Duke University, Box 90581 Durham, NC 27708; or Marbles Kids Museum, 201 E. Hargett St. Raleigh, NC 27601.

Arrangements provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St. Raleigh, NC.