Anne Byerly Allen

Anne was born July 18, 1935 in Sanford, NC to Kitty and Fred Byerly. Her family moved to Dunn NC when Anne was in middle school, where her father established an insurance practice and her mother was a librarian at the public library. Anne graduated from Dunn High School and then attended Peace College for two years before graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1957. She was married to Ray Azar, and they moved up to CT for a few years where she first became a public school teacher. She moved to Raleigh NC in the early 70s where she resided for the next 50 years. She taught 3rd grade at Effie Green Elementary School for 20+ years until her retirement in the 1993, and she loved her fellow teachers and students very much.

In 1985, she married AC Allen and they loved to travel, especially to the NC beaches and mountains as well as to Williamsburg VA. They also loved following ACC sports although they pulled for different teams. Anne was an ardent Tar Heel fan while, sadly, AC was a devoted Wolfpack fan. Her two beloved grandsons were her sun and her moon, and she savored every moment that she had with them.

We will miss sharing with Anne family gatherings, Hallmark holiday movies, spending weekends propped in bed watching old movies on TCM, happy hours with the ladies of Westbury, Valentine teas with her Effie Green teacher friends, stories of the Byerly sisters, her sage advice, and all the little things like the laughs, smiles, hugs, voice mails, gentle ribbing, and love.

Anne’s faith was a cornerstone of her life, and guided her life. There’s no doubt that last Saturday night there was a rousing homecoming when she entered heaven’s gates and I can picture mom and AC cutting up a rug! Betsy, John and I are looking forward to visits with you in our dreams. Anne lived well, and she loved well, and the love lives on.

She is survived by her daughter Phoebe Azar and wife, Christine Sweeney, and son John Azar, both of Greensboro NC, sister Betsy Byerly Scobie and husband David Scobie of Raleigh NC, nieces, Diane Scobie Aldridge (Anne’s ‘birthday buddy’) and husband Sid Aldridge of Chapel Hill NC, and Allison Scobie Houck of Apex NC, grandsons Matthew John Azar and Joshua David Azar, great niece Madison Houck and great nephew Robert (Robbie) Houck. Anne will be missed by her Makepeace and Byerly cousins, her friends at Springmoor Retirement Center, The Ladies of Westbury, and many lifelong friends.

The family wants to thank Anne’s long time caregiver, dear friend, and powerful prayer warrior, Blanche Lyons.

A time of visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 3, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh, NC 27612 with a funeral service immediately following. Interment will take place at Raleigh Memorial Park after the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anne’s honor to Meals on Wheels of Wake County (1001 Blair Drive, Suite 100, Raleigh NC 27603) and The Salvation Army of Wake County (902 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh NC 27604).