Anita Linnens Ayala, age 57, passed away at her home in Avondale, AZ on May 6 surrounded by her family. She fought a long battle with cancer.

Anita was born in Burlington, NC. She graduated from Williams High School in 1979 and Alamance Community College. She finished her CPA degree in AZ and worked as a CPA and accountant in Phoenix until the birth of her children.

She is survived by her parents Doug and Anne Linnens and sister, Becky Vann all of Burlington, niece and nephew, Stephanie Vann Horth of Greensboro and Jason T. Vann of Burlington and their families, and also in Arizona, her husband Tony, daughters Alyssia and Deanna and granddaughter Jade.

Also surviving are her step-children; Frank, Tony Jr., Tina and Miguel and step-granddaughter Audi and much extended family.

She was preceded in death by brother-in-law Livvie Vann, grandparents John and Ethel Linnens of Graham and Alvis and Joy Sykes of Burlington and several aunts and uncles.

A small graveside ceremony will be held at Linwood Cemetery in Graham, NC on June 1 during the burial of her mother, Annie Linnens who passed May 28.

Memorials may be made to the Cancer Research Institute at www.cancerresearch.org.