SILER CITY –  Linda Ann Cowan Warfford, 67, of 1017 Cliftwood Drive, Siler City, died Sunday, December 18, 2011 at her home.

Mrs. Warfford was born in Bertie County on December 30, 1943 to Robert Lansing and Mavis Joyner Cowan. She was a 1962 graduate of Ahoskie High School and a 1964 graduate of Chowan University. Linda continued her education, receiving degrees from the University of Chapel Hill (1965) and Mars Hill College (1967). In 1972 she received a Masters of Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and also received Specialist in Education in 1987 from Appalachian State University.

Linda began her teaching career in Virginia with the Hampton City Schools, teaching fifth grade (1967-1968). She moved to North Carolina, teaching second grade with Montgomery County Schools (1968-1969); serving as Elementary Supervisor from 1969-1972. She taught math from 1972-1976 in the Asheboro City Schools. Linda came to the Chatham County Schools in 1976 working as Elementary Supervisor (1976-1993), Assistant Superintendent (1994-1998) and retiring in 2010 as Associate Vice President of Accreditation, AdvancED (SACS)(1999-2010).

During her career Linda received many honors and served with several professional, charitable and social organizations. Among her honors were Board Member of Friends of Teacher Education, Kentucky Colonel, President, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Distinguished Alumni Award (Chowan University), Outstanding Young Educator, Teacher of the Year (Asheboro City Schools, 1976). Linda served as a Member of the International Board of ASCD, on the Board of Directors of NCASCD, and a member of the Board of Directors of NCASA. Linda was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa-Alpha Zeta Chapter, the Siler City Arts Council and the BPW of Siler City. Linda was a member of the First Baptist Church of Siler City where she served as a Deacon and Youth Sunday School teacher. She loved to play bridge, collect Charlie Brown memorabilia and buying bird houses.

She is survived by her husband, James (Jimmy) Franklin Warfford; daughters, Jenny Lind Warfford DeWeese and husband, Brad, of Lake Placid, NY and Mary Beth Warfford of Durham; granddaughters, Addalyn Grace DeWeese and Brinley Rose DeWeese; twin brother, Robert Lansing (Lanny) Cowan, Jr. and wife, Nancy, of Harrellsville; sisters, Mary Susan (Sue) Gray and husband, Dick, of Candler, NC and Laurie Beth Myers and husband, Steve, of Candler, NC; and two nieces, Stephanie Gray and Joyner Myers.

The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, 230 North Second Avenue, Siler City, NC.

A celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at the First Baptist Church of Siler City, 314 North Second Avenue, Siler City, with the Rev. Tony Capehart, the Rev. Jim Wall and Dwight Hooker officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Linda Cowan Warfford Teacher Education Scholarship, Chowan University, One University Place, Murfreesboro, NC 27855 or to the First Baptist Church, 314 North Second Avenue, Siler City, NC 27344.

Online condolences may be made at www.pughfuneralhome.com.