Anna (Sammie) Caswell

Anna (Sammie) Caswell died on June 30, 2024 at the age of 92. Sammie was born in Norfolk County, Virginia on July 17, 1931. She married Larry Caswell on August 20, 1955 and together they had 3 daughters. Sammie earned an Associates of Arts degree from William and Mary College and then her Bachelors degree from James Madison University.

Sammie was always in service to others, first as an elementary school teacher and then as a stay-at-home mom when her girls were young. She and her family moved to New Jersey where she worked as a payroll administrator at Lipton Tea Company once her daughters were in high school. After retiring from Lipton, she worked as a substitute teacher and for the Hunterdon County School system. She and Larry fully retired to New Bern, NC where Sammie volunteered as a tutor with the Craven Literacy Council for many years.

Singing brought Sammie great joy, performing in the church choir at First Baptist Church in New Bern, and with Sweet Adelines, an a cappella barbershop choir. She also enjoyed sewing and needlework.

Sammie is survived by daughters, Becky Withstandley (Chris) of Fort Pierce, FL, Janice Caswell (Rich Perry) of New York City and Sheryl Caswell of Buford, GA as well as a step-daughter, Jan Bartlett, a granddaughter, Jaime Bartlett and 2 great grandchildren, all of Barboursville, VA. She is also survived by a dear sister-in law, Charlene Irish of Carol Stream, IL and many, many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, Larry and her 7 siblings.

A family service will be held in Virginia at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Craven Literacy Council, 2507-A Neuse Blvd. New Bern, NC 28562, www.cravenliteracy.org, or to Interfaith Refugee Ministry, 1913 Trent Blvd. New Bern, NC 28560, https://helpingrefugees.org.