Sapulpa Herald
Sapulpa, Oklahoma
December 12, 2009
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Annabell Cryder (Blair) Jordan made her
transition into her heavenly home on December 10, 2009. She
suffered a major stroke on Nov. 22 and went from being her
bright, friendly, pretty, loving self to one with severe
disabilities including limited speech, but she was able to relay
early on that she needed to stay here so she could pray for her
loved ones. She gave it a valiant attempt for 2 ½ weeks but
after being assured that she could continue praying for us from
‘the other side’ she decided to join hands with her many family
members and friends that preceded her in death.
Annabell was born at home on December 28, 1932 in Sperry,
Oklahoma near Bird Creek to Rudolph ‘Bob’ Cryder and Leona
Augusta Greenleaf. She joined her two older sisters, Delores and
Oneita in completing their family. Bob worked for Texaco as an
oil field pumper and Leona was a homemaker whose talents in
gardening, baking and sewing helped the family during the
Depression. These are talents that Annabell possessed as well in
addition to painting, writing, singing and playing the piano.
When Annabell was 14, their family moved to Kiefer, Oklahoma due
to her father’s employment. The church gave the family a
farewell party and presented them with a large picture of Jesus.
One of the ladies of the church gave Annabell singing lessons
for awhile before they moved and her favorite solos were "Open
My Eyes That I May See" and "I’m A Pilgrim.” Later on she took
piano lessons and she and her sisters sang for church, funerals
and other occasions.
During her school years at Kiefer, she enjoyed playing
basketball and excelled at her studies, becoming the
Valedictorian of her Senior Class. She and her sisters
accomplished an impressive feat by never missing a day of school
for all twelve of their school years. Even though they were
dedicated students, their mother probably had some influence on
them not missing school!
While still in high school, Annabell started dating Jimmy Blair
and they eventually married on February 21, 1952. They lived in
Tulsa and were blessed with two children, Rodney and Rita.
Annabell and Jim decided to move their family to Sapulpa, OK and
build a house on 5 acres next to their school chums, Howard and
Francis Rongey. They attended Linden Street Christian Church,
where Annabell sang in the choir. She became a homemaker like
her mother, contributing to the family with her many skills. She
also enjoyed being involved with the Melodeers singing group.
After 23 years of marriage, Annabell and Jim divorced in 1975
and that’s when the next chapter of her life began. She brushed
up on her secretarial skills and went to work for Oral Roberts
University. A friend invited her to the single’s Sunday School
Class at the First United Methodist Church in downtown Tulsa and
that is where she met her future husband, David Jordan. She
asked the class for prayer because she was going into the
hospital for minor surgery and David decided to visit and bring
her flowers. So, while in the hospital David courted her and
they soon enjoyed many dates filled with dancing. They
eventually exchanged vows at the First Christian Church in
Jenks, OK on June 18, 1977 and lived in Claremore, OK. They then
moved to Broken Arrow, OK and were members of First United
Methodist Church in Tulsa and the Fellowship Sunday School
class. They were also active in Divorce Recovery and Stephen
Ministries.
David had been previously married as well and had 5 children, so
this would make seven children to complete their new family.
Although David’s children lived in Kansas, they and their
families became very close to Annabell. Many trips were made
back and forth from Oklahoma to Kansas.
Annabell eventually joined David in his businesses by helping
out in various capacities. They enjoyed going on numerous
business trips in the U.S. and abroad. Just recently in October,
Annabell and David traveled to Kentucky to explore her father’s
side of the family, the Crider’s. They roamed hills and hollers,
while interviewing families and searching for cemeteries. They
then ventured up to Niagra Falls, NY, their Honeymoon
destination 32 years previous.
Annabell’s children married and blessed her with four
grandchildren; Violet River, Noah, Courtney and Cody, whom she
thoroughly enjoyed. She participated in many of their school
activities and was always there to help out in any way she
could.
Annabell stated in her autobiography that the most important day
of her life was when she was baptized into the Reorganized
Latter Day Saints Church in Sperry to begin her life with
Christ. She has now begun that walk with Him and we are grateful
for all her spiritual guidance and counseling throughout the
years. Annabell was adored by many friends and members of her
Cryder, Greenleaf, Blair and Jordan families. Her hugs, cooking,
gardening, singing, and smile will be missed by us all.
Annabell is survived by husband David Jordan, daughter Rita
Blair, daughter-in-law Kerstin Blair, four precious
grandchildren, Violet River Woods, Noah Buckner, Courtney Blair
and Cody Blair and sister, Oneita Roland. Her son Rodney Blair
preceded her in death in 1992.
Viewing will be available Saturday, December 12, Sunday, and
Monday at Smith Funeral Home, 1208 South Main Street, Sapulpa,
OK. All services will occur Tuesday, December 15th beginning
with Graveside Services at
Green Hill Memorial
Gardens in Sapulpa at 9:00 am and then a Memorial Service at
10:30 at First United Methodist Church, 1115 Boulder Ave, Tulsa,
Oklahoma. Gifts may be made to First United Methodist Church.
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