WAKEFIELD—Ann Seward Beale Cobb, 80, died Sept. 6, 2007, at Waverly Healthcare Center in Waverly.

Born on Dec. 27, 1926, in Surry County, she was the daughter of the late Henry Elton Seward and Lelia Ellis Seward.

As a child, Ann and her family attended Surry Baptist Church.

She graduated from Surry High School. During World War II, she drove a school bus for Surry County schools.

Near the end of the war, she married Robert Lee “Dick” Beale in August 1945. She was a woman of great tenacity and tireless spirit, perhaps best illustrated by her founding of Ann’s Dress Shoppe 30 years ago.

In 1972, she married R. Myrick Cobb Jr.

In August 1977, she opened her small ladies’ clothing store in Wakefield, Ann’s Dress Shoppe, overcoming the considerable challenges women faced in the business world.

She “started with nothing,” as she would later reflect, and gradually built a successful small business.

Today, her legacy continues as Ann’s Dress Shoppe, LLC, is operated successfully by her daughter, Robin Scarborough.

Survivors include her husband, R. Myrick Cobb Jr.;

a son, R. L. “Dicky” Beale Jr., and wife Betty of Wakefield; three daughters, Carol Ann Pond of Petersburg, Brenda Pope and husband Leverette of Waverly, and Robin Scarborough and husband Todd of Surry County; a sister Virginia “Bunky” Thacker and her husband Raymond of Smithfield; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Cobb was preceded in death by her husband Robert Lee “Dick” Beale; a sister, Mary Lee Brittle; and brothers Baxter, Henry, and Roy Seward.

A funeral service will be held at the Wakefield Methodist Church on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Connie Gibbs officiating.

The family will be at the residence in Wakefield, 104 Pinecrest St., Wakefield, to receive family and friends.

Memorial donations may be made to the Waverly Volunteer Rescue Squad, Ivor Volunteer Rescue Squad or the Wakefield United Methodist Church.

Purviance Funeral Home, Wakefield, is handling the arrangements.

Condolences may be posted at our Web site at www.jtmorriss.com.