Mary Joann Ackerman-Dubois

Mary Joann Ackerman-Dubois was born on March 17, 1949, in Boston, Massachusetts, to the late Bertha Seabrooks-Aiken and Willie J. Grimes. She was the second of four children. After a brief illness, Joann slipped peacefully into her eternal rest on March 5, 2025. She is now resting in the arms of Jesus. 

She was educated in the public schools of Boston, Massachusetts. She graduated from Girls High School in Boston Massachusetts in 1965. She was joined in Holy Matrimony to Alonzo Haygood in 1966. She had her first child, a daughter, in 1968. She divorced in 1969. She attended Beauty School and attained her Cosmetology License in 1970. She then met the love of her life, Franklin L. Ackerman, and married him in 1972. The couple moved to South Carolina in 1971. In 1974, she gave birth to her second child, a son. 

She opened her first Beauty Salon in 1975 in Walterboro, “Ackerman’s Sepia Studio” and her second in 1990, in St. George, South Carolina. In 1991, she moved from the small salon her husband built into a larger salon that could accommodate the volume of customers she serviced every week. She was the first black-owned business owner on the new bypass, Robertson Boulevard. Joann went to work for several of the nationally owned businesses like Soft’ n’ Free, and Design’s appearing on stage as their premier educator at hair shows. Along the way, she mentored several cosmetologists who went on to open their own beauty salons. She remained devoted to Franklin Ackerman until he died in 1997. In 2003, she found love again and married Bellinger Dubois. She retired in 2012 to take  care of her sick son.

Joann, a wife, sister, mom, grandmother, cousin, and friend, will be affectionally missed by all who loved her. She dedicated her life to service and entrepreneurship. Throughout her career, she gained a reputation for her skills and expertise in cosmetology, and her salons became community pillars. Known for her warm and generous spirit, Joann not only provided exceptional beauty service, but also created a welcoming space where clients felt valued and cared for.

Her influence extended beyond her professional life as she actively participated in local charitable activities and supported aspiring business owners. Joann’s legacy as a trailblazer in the beauty industry and a beloved community figure is one that will be remembered and cherished by those who had the privilege of knowing her.

Her hobbies were knitting, quilting, poetry, play writing and song writing. Her favorite scriptures were Psalm 91 and Matthew 7:7. Her favorite songs were Two Wings, God is Good, and Jesus by Shekinah Glory. She held many positions over the years serving in Buckhead UMC. She was an active dedicated servant until her health failed, but even then, she showed up. She was recently the coordinator for the Golden Agers Senior Club at Buckhead, teaching the seniors how to sew quilts.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Bertha Seabrook-Aiken and Willie J. Grimes; sister, Louise Anderson; brother, Tyrone Aiken; second husband, Franklin L. Ackerman; third husband, Bellinger Dubois, and son, Joseph Oscar Ackerman, ‘Frankie.’

She leaves to cherish her fond memories her devoted daughter, Kimberly Haygood-Mitchell (Billy) of Walterboro, South Carolina; granddaughters, Antoinette Taylor of Austin, Texas, Niani Ackerman of Charlotte, North Carolina, Kayla Johnson of Charlotte, North Carolina, Janae Lingard White of San Antonio, Texas; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Patricio Mayo (Jimmy) of Boston, Massachusetts; brother, Willie Grimes of Savannah, Georgia; honorary son, Anthony Taylor of Atlanta, Georgia; honorary daughter, Carolyn Broughton; honorary grandchildren, Lamonte White (Ebony) of Killean, Texas, Natilee Williams-Mouzon of Columbia, South Carolina; stepson, Donnell Johnson (Monica); nephews, Najee Ackerman of Walterboro, South Carolina, Joelle Johnson of Charlotte, North Carolina; sister-in-law, Frances Aiken (Tyrone) of Florida; a devoted care-giver, Vernell Lewis and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                friends.

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