ANNA BURNS FOREMAN COMER, age 96, a native of Salisbury, NC, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2025.
Ann was born on February 4, 1929, to Bronnie Louise Efird and Thomas Alexander Foreman. Except for her last six years, she lived her entire life in Salisbury. She attended Salisbury City Schools and Catawba College in 1951 with a degree in Elementary Education. She went on to complete a summer course in Studio Art at Columbia College in NYC. In her senior year she met Joe Comer of Dobson, NC and they married in December of 1951, and enjoyed 49 years of marriage until his passing in 2001.
Ann was a sweet, loving, and caring daughter, wife, teacher, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved to share many happy stories from her own childhood growing up on Maupin Avenue with a close community of neighbors and friends. She was very proud of her own mother's Efird family heritage and was the last surviving grandchild (out of 33) of John Emery Efird and Anna Maria Turner Efird of Polkton, NC.
Ann was a lady of great strength, gentleness, kindness and courage, who placed her faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized at the age of 11 at First Baptist Church of Salisbury. As an adult, she taught preschool SS and VBS, was on many various committees and was an active member of the King's Daughters Sunday School Class. She remained faithful to Christ throughout her life of joys and challenges.
Ann enjoyed the women of the Tea and Topics Book Club. For over 60 years, they were a dedicated bunch who met monthly for lunch to discuss books (sometimes), and nurture friendships (always). Ann enjoyed her career of teaching young children at First Methodist Church Weekday Kindergarten and at China Grove Elementary School's First Grade for 25 years.
Throughout her life, Ann always enjoyed cooking and baking for her family and friends, giving and receiving “Hugga-Buggas” and she loved to laugh!! Her giggles were infectious! After 60 years of living in Milford Hills, in 2015 she began a series of moves which led her to Raleigh in 2019, near her two loving daughters.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband; her brother Tom and his wife, Hilda Foreman and her sister Bronnie and her husband Carl Hall; as well as many dear friends.
She is survived by Son, Fred Comer (Mary Frances) of Hickory; Daughter, Anna (Fil) Stidham of Raleigh; and Daughter, Kitty (Schad) Johnstone of Raleigh.
Granddaughters left to share her memories are Laura (Colin) McHale of Marietta; GA; Mary English (Jeff) Hand of Raleigh; Sarah (Matt) Koontz of Daytona, FL; and Caroline (Mac) Stanley of Asheville. She is also survived by Great-grandchildren, Emma Kate, Charlie & Lucy Hand, and Fallon McHale.
Our family is most appreciative for the care of all those dedicated individuals involved with her well-being over the past several years.
A graveside burial will be held at Rowan Memorial Park at 11:00 on Friday, November 21, 2025, followed by a 12:00 memorial service held in the Chapel of First Baptist Church of Salisbury, NC.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church or to a
charity of the donor's choice.
Arrangements are in the care of Summersett Funeral Home, Salisbury, NC. Condolences may be made at
www.summersettfuneralhome.com.
Published by Salisbury Post on Nov. 16, 2025.