TURKEY — Amid with the glow of candles and surrounded by family, friends and community members, those who loved Annie Jane Faison gathered Saturday evening to remember a woman they described as hardworking, faithful and devoted to her family.
Faison, 58, of 58 Darion Lane, died May 20 after being struck and killed when gunshots were fired into her residence. Authorities have not made any arrests in the case.
For her daughter, Andrea Faison, the vigil held June 20 was about more than remembrance. It was about keeping attention focused on a case that has left a family grieving and searching for answers.
“We’re not going to let it rest,” Andrea Faison stressed. “We’re definitely not going to let it rest until somebody is arrested and something is done.”
In recent weeks, federal and local law enforcement agencies have increased efforts to solve the homicide and several other shootings believed to be connected across Sampson and Duplin counties. In all, 11 shootings — two in Sampson and nine in Duplin — are believed to be connected. That includes Faison’s death. Because of the similarities in the cases, investigators with Sampson coordinated with officers from the Duplin Sheriff’s Office, the Clinton Police, Warsaw Police, Wallace Police, Beulaville Police and Kenansville Police departments, as well as the state Highway Patrol and the SBI to investigate. The shootings believed to have started on May 15. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to arrests, while Samposn Sheriff’s officials later announced an additional $2,500 reward, bringing the total possible reward to $7,500.
For Andrea Faison, however, the investigation is about much more than statistics, rewards or press releases.
It is about her mother.
“My mom was Annie J. Faison,” she attested. “She had two daughters, eight to nine grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a single mom. She always worked hard. She worked two jobs.”
At the time of her death, Annie Faison was employed by WakeMed in Raleigh, where she had worked for approximately five years. She also worked part-time with a home care agency based in Garner.
According to her daughter, caring for others was not simply a profession — it was part of who she was.
“She had a passion for taking care of the elderly or anybody that was basically in need,” Andrea Faison explained.
Family, she stressed was at the center of her mother’s life.
She described her mother as private, humble and focused on work, church and family.
“She didn’t do chaos, confusion or gossip,” Andrea recalled. “She was just a laid-back type of person.”
When she wasn’t working long shifts, Annie Faison spent time with her children and grandchildren. She loved family gatherings, dancing and traveling.
“Me and her were like best friends,” Andrea remembered. “We did everything together. We traveled all the time.”
Born and raised in Sampson County, Annie Faison remained deeply rooted in the community throughout her life.
According to her daughter, she was approaching a milestone birthday. Family members had quietly begun planning a surprise trip to New Orleans for her 60th birthday.
Instead, they found themselves planning a funeral.
“She was completely healthy,” Andrea noted. “She didn’t take any medications. The only thing she had recently been diagnosed with was arthritis in her knees.”
The suddenness of her death has left a void that family members are still struggling to comprehend.
“I talked to her every single day,” Andrea recounted. “She still treated me like I was a child. She was always checking up on me.”
Since losing her mother, Andrea admitted that everyday tasks have become difficult.
“I barely can eat. I can’t really sleep at night,” she admitted. “I get really emotional at times because she was my everything.”
The loss has been particularly difficult for Annie’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
One young great-grandson, she said, was especially attached to Annie.
“He couldn’t even eat,” she asserted . “She did everything with him and for him.”
As grief continues to ripple through the family, frustration has begun to grow as well.
More than a month after the shooting, family members say they are still waiting for answers.
“We need justice,” Andrea emphasized. “We need to find out who did it and why they did it. Why did they choose that house? What provoked them to go there?”
Andrea indicated she has worked to remain calm and encourage patience among family members who are struggling with anger.
“I’ve been trying to keep everybody calm,” she acknowledged. “I’m telling them we’ve got to trust the process.”
Her faith, she added, has helped sustain her through the uncertainty.
“I’m a Christian lady,” Andrea expressed. “I’m trusting God that everything done in the dark will come to the light.”
Still, she hopes someone with information will come forward.
Authorities have publicly stated that the shootings in Sampson and Duplin may be connected, and investigator in both counties say they continue pursuing leads.
Andrea believes someone knows what happened.
“Sampson County and Duplin County are only so big,” she maintained. “I know somebody has heard something. Somebody has said something.”
She hopes the increased reward will encourage those with information to speak up.
“It’s free money out there,” Andrea urged. “Just do the right thing.”
She also expressed frustration over the lack of updates the family has received since the shooting.
“I need answers. I need to know what’s going on,” Andrea remarked. “My family is looking at me. They’re calling me, texting me, asking what I’ve found out. We need updates. We need to know they’re out here working.”
While she continues encouraging relatives to remain patient, she believes progress in the investigation would help restore confidence.
“I know word of mouth travels around here,” Andrea observed. “Somebody done said something. Somebody done told something.”
More than anything, she wants the opportunity for her family to begin healing.
“I feel like we’ll never get over this because we were really close to her,” Andrea reflected. “But if we can get justice, if we can get answers, maybe we can start the healing process.”
As candles flickered Saturday night in Annie Faison’s memory, family members embraced one another and reflected on the woman they lost far too soon.
For those gathered, the vigil was not only a remembrance of a life taken unexpectedly. It was also a call for answers and a plea for anyone with information to come forward.
Until then, Andrea said her family will continue mourning, continue waiting and continue seeking justice for the woman who meant everything to them.
“She didn’t do nothing without doing for all of us,” Andrea reflected. “Nobody was left behind.”
While the family continues to trust the investigative process, they remain hopeful that someone with information will come forward and help bring accountability to those responsible. More than anything, they said, they are seeking peace, closure and justice for Annie Faison — a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend whose absence continues to be felt each day by those who loved her most.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-592-4141, the confidential tip line at 910-564-5261 or respond online at www.sampsonsheriff.com and clicking on “Sheriff’s Citizens Connect.”