Sunday, February 9, 2025

Lois Ann Ward-Burns, 79

Lois Ann Ward-Burns (Andrews Mortuary and Crematory)

WILMINGTON — Lois Ann Burford Ward-Burns passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 26th. Ann was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and inspirational friend to many. She was born to John Henry Dennis and Mary Lois Schwenk in Brazoria, Texas.

Ann was predeceased by her parents, spouse Bobby Burford, and daughters Jessica and Angela.

She will be greatly missed by her sons Jason Burford, Philip Burford, Bladen Ward-Burns, and husband Bob Ward-Burns.

Ann faced the challenge of being a military daughter and attended multiple schools in Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Japan. A strong and independent young woman, Ann worked two jobs to put herself through college and earned a BA degree from the University of Georgia. She began her career as the first female Loan Officer for a bank in California and would go on to various positions in banking, oil production, and sales training. She spent the last 20 years of her career helping build the cable TV business and retired in 2010 as a Regional Vice President for Time-Warner Cable.

Wherever Ann lived she was an active member in her community, both sponsoring and supporting worthwhile causes in the Arts and various charities. Here in Wilmington, Ann was a co-sponsor of the Heart Ball and a major fundraiser for the Lower Cape Fear Hospice.

She felt her greatest accomplishment was becoming a grandmother. She knew that she would live on through them and was very proud of her daughters-in-law, Lea and Izze for bringing Simone (7), Robert (3), and Hazel (1 Month) into this world.

Ann will be remembered by her family and friends as a generous caring person – full of generosity, love, humor, and a personal faith in God that guided her life.

A celebration of Ann’s life will be held on Saturday, February 22nd at 3PM at Andrews Mortuary on Market Street in Wilmington, NC.

Please leave condolences for the family here.

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