Ann Fleming Deagon

1930 - 2024

Ann Fleming Deagon

January 19, 1930 - June 24, 2024

Ann Fleming Deagon, 94, of 802 Woodbrook Drive, died June 24th in Wilmington, NC.

Ann will be buried beside her husband in New Garden Cemetery, her spiritual home for more than fifty years and the source of much inspiration because of Friends' tradition of finding that of God in every person. A memorial service will be held at New Garden Friends Meeting House on Saturday, August 17th, at 2:00 p.m.

Ann was born in 1930 in Birmingham, Alabama to Robert and Alice Webb Fleming. She attended Birmingham Southern College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she received her doctorate in Classical Studies. She was married in 1951 to Donald David Deagon, an actor and director, and in 1956 they joined the faculty of Guilford College, where he headed the Drama Department until his death in 1985 and she taught classical languages, literature, and history until her retirement as Hege Professor of Humanities in 1992. After beginning a writing career in the 1970's, she also served as Writer in Residence and taught poetry and fiction workshops.

Her books include several collections of poems, short stories, and a novel, and her work appeared in many journals and magazines. She taught overseas programs in Greece, Italy, and Great Britain, and served as visiting writer for universities, community groups and art councils throughout the country. After her retirement, Ann acted in community theater and film and enjoyed songwriting and performing, while continuing to be active in a number of writers' organizations.

Ann is survived by her daughter Andrea Webb Deagon; three grandchildren: Jasper Vincent Perry, Diana Elena Zalph, and Jade Deagon Proctor; great-grandson River Perry; and long-time friend and companion Harold M. Chilton.