Barbara Ann Burke Andrew, 90, of Siler City died Friday, December 7, 2018 at UNC Hospice House in Pittsboro.
She was born in Chatham County on September 1st, 1928; the daughter of the late Joe Thomas and Annie Dowdy Burke. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Murray Milton Andrew, an infant daughter, and a brother Guy Thomas Burke.
She graduated from Siler City High School in 1947. She began working at an early age in downtown Siler City; her first job being at Roses Dime Store at age 14. She especially cherished the time working at Carolina Furniture with Bill and Mae Tidy. In 1972, she became the secretary of Jordan-Matthews High School until her retirement in 1990. She worked alongside her husband, Murray Andrew, who was the principal of the school. She loved interacting with the students and was always happy to run into former students and staff from her time there.
After retirement, she enjoyed playing an active role in her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s lives. She spoiled them and taught them, when faced with difficulties, that we would “deal with it” as a family. She traveled many miles to attend their sporting and milestone events.
She had a vibrant personality, quick wit, and was an all-around classy lady. She lived life to the fullest everyday. Strangers that she met quickly became friends. She loved Talbots, Johnson’s, Chick-Fil-A, and Pepsi. She was an avid reader, especially books by Mary Higgins Clark, and enjoyed time in her yard tending to her flowers. Her love for her family, friends, church, and her Lord was limitless. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Faith Sunday School class, and the Virginia Highfield Mission Meeting, where many lifelong friendships were made.
She is survived by a son, Steven Andrew of Raleigh, a daughter, Yvonne Andrew of Siler City; granddaughter, Lauren Hadley Grant and husband Tony of Holly Springs; grandson Benjamin Hadley and wife Melissa of Elon; great-grandchildren, Ella and Bryce Hadley and Bryce Grant; sister-in-law, Annette Burke of Camp Hill Pennsylvania; nephew Michael Burke, niece Linda Burke and husband Mike Webster, and great-nephew Ryan Burke.
The family will receive friends at Smith and Buckner Funeral Home on Friday, December 14th from 6:00-8:00pm. The celebration of her life will be conducted at First Baptist Church on Saturday, December 15th at 2:00pm. Burial will follow the services at Rives Chapel Baptist Church (4338 Rives Chapel Church Road, Siler City).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church (314 North Second Avenue Siler City NC 27344) or to UNC Hospice House. Checks for UNC Hospice House should be made payable to “The Medical Foundation of NC, Inc.” and mailed to UNC Medicine ℅ The Medical Foundation of NC Inc (P.O. Box 1050 Chapel Hill, NC 27514-9981). Please designate “Patient & Family Care Fund (349472)” in the lower left. Memorial gifts can also be made online at go.unc.edu/unchospice.
A very special thank you to the competent and caring staff of UNC Hospice House in Pittsboro for the excellent care they provided to our loved one and to our family and friends.