Ann Williams

Ann Wilhelmina (Mena) Williams, 90, passed peacefully in her sleep at  home September 19, 2025. She was born June 14, 1935 in Columbia  SC, the daughter of the late Arthur F. and Mary Brannon Tompkins.  She was a graduate of E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville North  Carolina, and West Virginia State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree 28 May 1956. She later earned a Masters of Arts degree in 1979.  She married Aaron Williams, a classmate from WVSU, in March 1958  and resided in New York. As an Army Officer’s spouse, she spent six   years in Europe where she taught elementary school and developed a  love for traveling. After several military assignments, she settled in  Baltimore, MD, for over 50 years before returning to Columbia S.C. in  April 2021.  She exemplified the definition of Service to others and the community.  She touched thousands of Citizens while serving as an Administrative  Supervisor for the State of Maryland Social Security Disability  Determination Agency. As an active member in the West Virginia State  University Alumni Association and Foundation, she concentrated on  keeping graduates active and fundraising activities to assist the  continued education of students in need. Throughout the years she  continued to push family members and friends to pursue education  leading to success in professional fields that include military, education,  medicine, and business.   Mena pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on 14 May 1955; later  becoming a life member and a Delta Dear. She was quick to share  sorority history and humorous stories with her Sorors Geraleen (Sister)  and nieces Pat and Denise. When asked what she wanted people to  know about her she acknowledged that she was the family matriarch and  had a place in her heart for her sisters, nieces, nephews and their  families. She enjoyed playing cards with friends and could often be seen  visiting a casino for slot machine play. She is preceded in death by both her parents and her sisters Maryetta  Haywood and Geraleen Boaz. In a strange twist of fate, her ex- husband  Aaron Williams (COL Ret. US Army) with whom she had a life-long  friendship passed after being notified of Mena’s passing.  “Aunt Mena” as she was affectionately called by family and friends,  shall remain in the hearts of her nephews Charles A. Boaz, Jr (Shirley),  Yorktown VA, and Michael Haywood, Riverview FL; and nieces Joan  Haywood Daniels, Nashville TN, Jeralyn “Pat” Coaxum, Columbia SC,  Harriet “Denise” Moody Jonesboro GA, and Jeanne Haywood,  Washington DC, and numerous grand nieces and grand nephews.