Hampstead: Annie Laurie Sidbury, age 86, of Watts Landing fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, May 27, 2008.

She was born October 21, 1921 in Pender County to Wilbur Dowless and Gracie Batson Dowless. She was a graduate of Topsail High School. On May 19, 1940 she married the love of her life, Richard Atkinson Sidbury who preceded her in death on August 18, 2000 after sixty wonderful years of marriage.

Mrs. Sidbury along with her husband served the Lord by playing the piano with various gospel quartets, teaching Sunday school and being a constant witness to all. Her greatest love was that she had for her family; her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed taking care of them, spending time with them and loving them. She often told them to remember, "There is nothing like a mother's love."

Mrs. Sidbury was a faithful member of Blakes Chapel Advent Christian Church. A gracious soul with a heart of gold, Annie Laurie lived her life generously, compassionately and with concern for others. She was an inspiration to all and will be missed more than words can express.

Mrs. Sidbury is survived by a son, Rex Sidbury and wife, Andrea, daughter, Marsha Spiller and husband, Warren, and daughter, Virginia Swinson and husband, Robert; four grandchildren, Carson Sidbury, Zachary Spiller, Robbie Swinson and wife, Sonya, and Lynn Gideon and husband, Todd; and three great grandchildren, Greyson and Chesnee Swinson and Mason Gideon.

Graveside funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Blakes Chapel Advent Christian Church Cemetery with Pastor Edward Dowd officiating.

Casketbearers will be Layton Coleman, Tom Sessions, Wayne Padgett, Gerald Padgett, David Justice, and Gene Grafius.

Honorary bearers will be Jeff Alford, Wilbur Carter, Owen Martin, Harold Meadows, Cecil Johnson and Blaine DeNius.

In lieu of flowers in memory of Mrs. Sidbury please give memorial gifts to the Blakes Chapel Penny Crusade, 88 Blakes Chapel Rd., Hampstead NC 28443.

Condolences may be sent to www.quinnmcgowen.com

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw.