Joan Burke Steward of Gastonia died on Nov.13, 2015.

She was born Feb. 16, 1936 in Union County to the late Samuel and Daisy Bell Burke. She married the late Herbert Lee Steward.  She graduated from what is now N.C. Central University and attended Freemen’s Hospital School of Nursing in Washington, DC. She sang with the singing nurses under the direction of Roberta Flack. She was member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. She attended Bethlehem Church and was an active member of the Senior Ministry.

Survivors: her daughter Jill of Rocky Mount; a son, Herbert; grandson, Nicholas of Gastonia; a sister, Irma C. Wilson of Richmond, Va.; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services were held on Tuesday, Nov 17 at   Bethlehem Church, Gastonia with the visitation at 1:30 p.m. and funeral at 2.  Burial followed at  Armstrong Cemetery and Pastor Dickie Spargo, officiating.

Condolences: nobleandkelsey.com.