Dr. Ann Marie McGee Darby

Dr. Ann McGee Darby, also known as Ziph, was born April 11,1931 to the late John McGee and Blanche McGee in Cleveland, NC. Her father passed when she was little. Her mother raised six children, including Ann, by herself and never remarried. Her mother raised them to love God and Community. There was a lot of laughter and fun in the house. Ann enjoyed music and she especially enjoyed singing. When her mother would leave the house she played the Boogie. She also sang in the church choir at Knox Grove Baptist Church in Cleveland, NC. Her Aunt Virginia played the piano in the church and shouted, "sing, Ziph." She graduated high school and wanted to pursue singing. She had a three octave range. Ann had a son, William "Butch" Wesley McGee. She would move up north to better herself and send money back home to care for Butch. She would live with her sister, Pauline, in Washington, D.C. Ann later moved to Brooklyn, New York and met Eddie Dickerson, Sr. To this union, two children were born, DeBoRah Dickerson and Eddie Dickerson, Jr. She graduated from Merchants Bankers School. Ann also worked as a clerk for the Board of Education. She went up ladder to become an Assistant Director of Personnel for Adult Education for 25 years. Anne also majored in English and was on the Dean's list at New York Technical Community College. She earned a Doctorate and Masters Degree from Union Theology College with honors and a Bachelors from Medgar Evans College. She was a quiet person however, she made you laugh. Ann was in the United Democratic Club with the late Hon. Shirley Chisholm. Ann was an active member of Holy House of Prayer For All People for 30 years and an Assistant Minister of Music. She sang in the Maria McManus Mass Choir. Ann met Richard H. Darby, Sr in Orangeburg, South Carolina at a concert. On January 3, 1988, Ann married Richard. She retired and moved to Camden. She loved cooking and started the Soup Kitchen in Camden at her church, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. She sang with the Willie Peay Singers and worked as a substitute teacher and poll worker. Ann loved fishing, her children, family, community and most of all, she loved the Lord. On September 22, 2018, Dr. Darby succumbed to Alzheimer's disease. Surviving are her daughter, Elder DeBoRah Dickerson, Brooklyn NY; sisters, Irene Dos Santos of Legrande, NC, Callie (James) Watt of Kissimme, FL; brother, John (Mary) Howard McGee of Statesville, NC; step-daughter, Florence Loretta Darby; step-son, William "Spud" McGee; 12 Nephews and 11 Nieces; great nephews, great nieces, and friends.She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard H. Darby, Sr, her sons, Eddie Dickerson and William "Butch" McGee, two brothers and five sisters.
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