Annie Ree Duckworth Epley

Annie Ree Duckworth Epley, 97, of Pea Ridge St., Glen Alpine, NC took her walk with Jesus into Heaven on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 after years of declining health. Born in Mebane, NC on February 28, 1913, she was the daughter of the late Marshall Lee Duckworth and Sally Mace Duckworth. Annie was a lifelong member of Glen Alpine United Methodist Church. She retired from Dolly Hosiery in Valdese and had worked at Glen Alpine Knitting Mill. She was an avid gardener and loved to sit on her porch and look at her flowers.Annie is survived by her grandchildren, Randall Bennett Epley and Lisa Epley Arrowood, both of Glen Alpine; a daughter-in-law, Thelma Chapman Epley of Glen Alpine; great-grandchildren, John Randall Epley, Charity Cherie Epley, Lauren Michelle Epley, Jakob Lee Arrowood, Zakery Kaleb Arrowood and their father, Johnny Arrowood; a brother, Herman Duckworth and wife, Judy, of Morganton; a sister, Faye Rhyne of Valdese, NC; a special niece and caregiver, Fay Norman; a caregiver for several years, Teresa Hurt; and numerous nieces and nephews.In addition to her parents, Annie was preceded in death by her husband, John Bennett Epley; a son, Bennett "Cisco" Epley; brothers, Glenn, John, Reuben, and Stanley Duckworth; sisters, Azalee Duckworth, Margaret Lambert, and Ruth Bollinger; a special niece, Juanita Crotts and husband, Sam; Lewis Norman; and numerous nieces and nephews.The funeral will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, March 20, 2010 at Glen Alpine United Methodist Church with Rev. David Duncan officiating. Burial will follow in Glen Alpine Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Glen Alpine United Methodist Church New Building Fund, P.O. Box 576, Glen Alpine, NC 28628 or to Burke Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.The family would like to give a heart-felt thanks to her neighbors, Glen Alpine United Methodist Church, Grace Heights, Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Clinic Drug, Catawba Valley Medical Services, and Dr. Clay Richardson and staff for their wonderful care of Annie throughout this difficult time.