Ancel “Ann” Alford, 90, died peacefully on Friday, July 30, 2021. She was born Ancel Riley on February 13, 1931, in Tabor City, North Carolina, to Virginia and Clay Riley. She is preceded in death by her mother, father, and sister, Elaine Eyers. Her Father Clay died at a young age, and her Aunt and Uncle, Gurley and Archie Fipps, helped raise Ann and Elaine. She is survived by three loving sons, Tony Arnette (Cathy), Roy “Rusty” Arnette (Sheryl), and Wendell “Kent” Arnette, 5 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.
Ann loved to work in the yard and tend to her beautiful flowers, and pick every weed she could find. Weeds were her worst enemy. Christmas was her favorite time of the year, and the snowman was her favorite type of decoration. She enjoyed cooking and playing cards and was a long time member of the Franklin Street Baptist Church. She lived a full life and was loved by many.
At this time no services will be held. There are plans in the spring to take Ann and Elaine’s ashes to their hometown in Tabor City, North Carolina, to be spread over their father Clay, Aunt Gurley, and Uncle Archie’s graves. The two sister’s final resting place will be in New York with their mother.
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