Mary Ann Williams Harris

A Wonderful Life!

Mary Ann Williams Harris, 81, of Morehead City, North Carolina, passed away on May 2, 2025. She was born on October 4, 1943, in Belhaven, NC. Mary Ann was the daughter of the late Dora Phelps Williams and Claude Norman Williams.

Mary Ann’s celebration of life will begin with a visitation at First Presbyterian Church in Morehead City, NC on Thursday, May 8th at 10:30 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 12 p.m. She will be buried at Yeatesville Cemetery in Pinetown (Beaufort County), NC on Friday, May 9th at 12 p.m.

She graduated from Aurelian Springs High School, followed by Atlantic Christian College, where she obtained her Elementary Education degree. She and her husband raised their three daughters in Rocky Mount, NC, and she taught in multiple schools in Nash County, NC. She later settled in Morehead City, NC, continuing to teach until retirement.

Mary Ann was a devout Christian, raising her children in Englewood Methodist Church in Rocky Mount, NC. In Morehead City, NC, she was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where she supported her daughters, granddaughters, and community with their journeys with Christ.

She was a celebrated photographer and artist, adorning many beautiful paintings for friends and family. She also enjoyed traveling the world and finding relatives everywhere she went. Renewed by the ocean, Mary Ann spent much of her free time by the beach and on the boat. She loved fishing and is recognized as the only woman in the world who has ever earned a citation for her catch of a white sailfish.

Mary Ann was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, NC Association of Educators, Arts Council of Carteret County, and NC Sea Turtle Volunteer Project. She was a contributor to the Duke Cancer Center and expressed her gratitude to their care during her battle with cancer.

As a dedicated mother, Nana, and friend to all, Mary Ann most enjoyed spending time with her loved ones, showcasing her unique ability to know each of us deeply. She was devoted to her family and friends and will be profoundly missed.

Mary Ann is survived by her daughter, Angie Fearing; grandson, Coye Shearin (Sara); great-granddaughters, Everly and Sophie Shearin; granddaughter, Mary Ann Fearing (Tony); daughter, Julie Harris; granddaughter, Annaleigh Harris (Ben); daughter, Kelsey Jones (Mitch); and granddaughter, Savannah Jones Moore (Sam); as well as sister, Betty Lou Brown; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by her beloved sister, Ella Faye Williams Sessoms; niece, Debbie Brown Glisson; and father of her children, James Rex Harris.

As an expression of sympathy, flowers are welcome.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory, Morehead City, NC.