Mrs. Norma Annas

Mrs. Norma Epley Annas, 80, of Rutherford College, went to receive her Heavenly Reward on Wednesday, October 2, 2019, after a period of declining health. Mrs. Annas was the first born child of the year in Burke County, being born on January 1, 1939. She was the daughter of the late Louis and Kitty Anderskow Epley. She was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church and a former member of Valdese First Baptist Church. Norma served her Lord as a choir member, Sunday School teacher, and member of numerous committees of both churches. She obtained a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and retired after 28 years of service as a Social Work Supervisor from the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center, formerly known as Western Carolina Center. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of over 62 years, Ray E. Annas on March 9, 2019. Survivors include her son, Marc Douglas Annas and wife Nancy of Easley, South Carolina: a grandson-Paul Henry Annas of Jacksonville, Florida: two sisters, Alyce Walker of Charlotte and Patricia Coan of Fuquay-Varina: and brother, Paul Epley and wife Victoria of Ivanhoe, Virginia: a number of nieces and nephews, and a canine companion, Molly the Beagle. Also surviving are her sisters in-law, Joanne Rhoney of Winston-Salem, and Willie Annas of Rutherford College. Special thanks to Chuck and Becky Schlein, Almon and Ann Carr, Gwen and Dennis Stephens, and other Hilltop neighbors and to the members of Cornerstone Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Friday, October 11, 2019 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Cornerstone Baptist Church. A Service of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Cornerstone Baptist Church, Valdese. Reverend Ande Myers will be officiating the service. Entombment will follow at Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to Cornerstone Baptist Church, PO Box 1026, Valdese, NC 28690 or to the Burke Hospice and Palliative Care Program. On online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com. Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory is assisting the Annas Family.