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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