Lori Ann Bear of Kinston passed away, with her two daughters by her side, on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at Duke-Raleigh Hospital. Lori was 59 years old when she lost her two-month medical battle.

She lived life with multiple health issues from the time she was a teenager, but she always persevered. Lori was an avid lover of her family, friends, cat (Romeo), NASCAR (Jeff Gordon) and Criminal Minds. Lori held a special place in her heart for her lifelong friend, Kathe Sowers, who was the true definition of a best friend. She also had several friends at her apartment complex that had become her family. Her grandchildren were the light of her life and she loved them more than anything in this world. On Sundays you could find her watching a NASCAR race and Criminal Minds any other time. She brought love, light and a lot of spunk to everyone’s life.

She is preceded in death by her father, Steven Monroe Bear and mother, Mary Ann Ginn. She is survived by her daughters, Nikki Harris and husband, Will, and Laken Koonce and husband, Kris, all of Kinston; grandchildren, Landon Harris, Lauren Harris and Kylie Koonce; sisters, Crystal Strickland and husband, Michael of Ludowici, GA and Kathy Hamblin of Wichita, Kansas as well as nieces and nephews, James, Jade, Steven, Willow, Katara and Isaac Strickland, and her beloved feline friend Romeo.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Tom Jose & staff of UNC Lenoir Healthcare in Kinston as well as the ICU staff at Duke-Raleigh Hospital.

Visitation will be held at Howard-Carter Funeral Home in Kinston on Thursday, March 11, 2021 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm, funeral will follow directly at 1:00 pm also at Howard-Carter. Graveside service will be held at Pinelawn Cemetery in Kinston following the funeral.