Ann Rhodes Nicholson Ashford

Ann Rhodes Nicholson Ashford, (Age 89 ) died peacefully at home on January 8, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born in Lincolnton, NC on March 3, 1935, to the late William Moore Nicholson and Mabel Rhodes Nicholson. After graduating from Charlotte’s Myer’s Park high School, in 1953, Ann won an Angier B. Duke Scholarship to Duke University, from which she graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1957. She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Duke in 1958. After college, Ann moved to Fayetteville, NC where she met and married John Durward Ashford, her loving husband of 60 years. She taught in the public schools for several years before leaving to start a family. She became an instructor at FTCC in 1972, and taught English there until her retirement in 1995. After she retired from teaching, Ann was active in many areas. She attended massage school and practiced massage, Healing Touch and Reiki for over 20 years. Ann was always involved in some form of volunteer service or peace and justice work. She volunteered on the CONTACT Crisis Line for over 40 years. She volunteered at the Federal prison in Butner NC, as a Volunteer Prison Visitor and Support for 14 years. Ann was a longtime member of Fayetteville Chapter of the National Organization of Women (NOW), the Cumberland County Progressives, and People of Faith Against the Death Penalty. In later years, she was involved in the local chapter of Organizing Against Racism. Ann's family was very important to her. She enjoyed many family weekends travelling, camping, and at the Holden Beach house. Dogs were always an important part of the family, and they were usually large and in pairs. She was proud of her grandchildren, Hadley and Clay, and enjoyed visits with them. Ann enjoyed the arts, watching movies, and reading. She and her husband, John, took many extended trips abroad. Ann was especially grateful for the love and care of her family, especially in her later years after her husbands death. She enjoyed lunches with her children, Nick and Sally. The many visits from Nick and Laura were also a huge support in later years. Ann was active in the Episcopal Church for many years, both with Holy Trinity and St. Pauls in-the-Pines, serving several terms on the vestry. Her combined interest in meditation and peace activism led her to meet the Quakers. She joined the Fayetteville Friends Meeting in 1992 and was active in many Quaker events. She was especially pleased to see the Friends Meeting grow during the last years of her life. She also was a member of a local Buddhist Sangha and was active there until her death. Ann’s Episcopal, Buddhist and Quaker beliefs were complementary in their emphasis on love, compassion and service to others. Ann was vocal in her beliefs against racism, war, and the death penalty. Ann will be remembered for her wide-ranging interests, her interest in history and other cultures, her involvement in social justice causes, and for her loyalty and support of her family and many friends. Many of Ann’s friends have shared that they felt inspired by her energy, caring and compassion. Ann Rhodes Nicholson Ashford was predeceased by her husband John Ashford, son Michael Ashford, sister Judy Martin, parents: William Moore Nicholson and Mabel Rhodes Nicholson. She is survived by her brother William M Nicholson, Jr. and wife Gay of Jasper GA and their grandson, William Nicholson. Children: John N. Ashford (Nick) and wife Laura T. Ashford of Raleigh, NC and grandchildren Clay Ashford and Hadley Ashford, daughter Sarah Guill (Sally) and husband Rodney of Autryville, NC. A Celebration of Life will be held on January 26, 2025, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church,1601 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, at 2:00 PM followed by a reception in the parish hall. Final arrangements are entrusted to Cape Fear Crematory. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Quaker House, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, or to a charity of ones choice.

Ann Rhodes Nicholson Ashford

March 3, 1935 - January 8, 2025