Ann Jones Pappas

Ann Jones Pappas, daughter of Claude and Thelma Jones, was born on May 10, 1934 in Williamston, NC, where she was fortunate enough to be raised by her loving sister Margaret and grandmother Vanny. Despite her patchwork entrance into adulthood, Ann capitalized on her savviness and smarts and managed to graduate from high school as salutatorian, and thanks to a teacher who sponsored her, along with hard work, Ann graduated from college with a degree in bookkeeping.

She met and married Sam Pappas in Winston-Salem, who predeceased her, and they are loved dearly by daughter Karen and husband Mike Giles, son Michael, deceased, and wife Soo, niece Carol Hurst Long and a nephew, Clyde Hurst along with Ann’s grandchildren, Nicole (Ray) Pappas, Alex (Pete) Komar, and Chris (Caroline) Pappas and great-granddaughter, Michal Claire.

Ann has left the world with the same spunk and joy she brought to it. Whether a Carolina ballgame, a five o’clock glass of wine, or playing cards with her grandkids, she showed up as a fulltime mother, fulltime bookkeeper (with Cherry Bekaert), fulltime restaurant partner, engaged PTA parent, avid golfer, Gorham expert bridge player, and loving matriarch. Her bestie Margie Martin said, “there is just one Ann!”

She dedicated her later years to public service including, volunteering with the local hospital and other nonprofit organizations.

Her loving chosen Pappas family include Julia and Christ Pappas, Sandra and Jones Byrd, Sr., niece, Julia (Joe) Byrd, and nephew, Jones (Whitney) Byrd, Jr., along with her 2 grandnieces.

At the end of the day, she and Michael and Dean Smith are celebrating Carolina blue in heaven. We already miss her sass, spunk and spirit.

A Graveside service will be held for Ann’s friends and family at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, November 17, 2023 at Forsyth Memorial Park, 3771 Yadkinville Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27106.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in memory of Ann to: Cape Fear Literacy Council, www.cfliteracy.org/donate/ or Cape Fear Literacy Council, 1012 South 17th Street Wilmington, NC 28401, Lower Cape Fear Hospice LifeCare, www.lifecare.org/donate/ or Please make your check payable to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare and mail to: Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 or The North Carolina Coastal Federation, www.nccoast.org/give/ or Check made out to North Carolina Coastal Federation at 3609 N.C. 24 Newport, NC 28570.

Services are entrusted to Wilmington Funeral and Cremation. Please leave condolences for the family on his Tribute Wall