The Midwest Sun
Midwest  City, Oklahoma
May 18, 2009

Ann Colene Creider, 59, of Midwest City, entered heaven on March 14, 2009. Ann was born on July 17, 1949 to Tommy and Peggy Criswell in Pine Bluff Ark.. Ann and her loving sister, Jene, had many happy memories of growing up in Little Rock, Ark.. In 1959 Ann and her family moved to Midwest City, Okla. In 1967 Ann graduated from Midwest City High School, where she excelled in Drama and won many state Speech contests. Ann obtained her B.S. in Home Economics from the Univ. of Okla. in 1971. She paid for her education by working for four years at the OU library. With her intelligence and work ethic, Ann could have succeeded at any profession of her choosing. She chose a career of service as a junior high educator. In Jan. 1972 Ann began 37 years of teaching at Carl Albert Junior High in Midwest City. Ann taught Home Economics, English and for the past 20 years served as the school's librarian-media specialist. Ann also obtained an M.S. in Home Economics from the Univ.of Central Okla. in 1982, and an M.S. in Library Science from UCO in 1989.

In 2007 Ann became a National Board Certified Teacher. Ann's compassionate, kind and caring heart profoundly touched not only her family but also the lives of her many friends and the thousands of students whom she helped over her many years of service.

In 1975, while working as a counselor at a Youth Conservation Corps summer camp at Quartz Mountain State Park, Ann met Tom Creider. Ann and Tom were married on September 11, 1976; their 32 years of marriage were filled with much happiness, love and joy. Ann was much more than simply a devoted wife; she was Tom's soul-mate. She was a wonderful mother to her daughters, Sarah and Torrey. Ann gladly used her skill as an accomplished seamstress to help friends and family; she re-made many a cheerleader outfit. Ann led a faith-filled life. She was raised in a loving Christian home.

She received Christ and was baptized at Midwest City's First Baptist Church. In 1962 Ann and her family helped to form Meadowood Baptist Church where later she and Tom were married. In 1987, through the guidance of Father Paul Mollan, Ann joined the Catholic Church. For many years Ann and her family were active members of St Paul's Catholic Church in Del City. Ann's life radiated her deep-rooted faith in Christ. Throughout her courageous fight with cancer, Ann placed her complete trust in God. Ann was blessed with the help of many caregivers. The names of just a few include: Dr. Gary and Dr. Peggy Dubois; Dr. Brian Geister, Juli Johnson and Jamie Nettleton of Cancer Care Associates; Dr. John Huff, Dr. Teresa Craig; Kathy Morrison of Health Choice Insurance; the wonderful staff of the West Wing-7th floor of Baptist Hospital; Samaritan Home Health; Hospice of Oklahoma County; and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband Tom, her daughters Sarah List and Torrey Creider; her son-in-law Jay List, her sister and brother-in-law Jene and Richard Cheek and by many other loving family members. She is also deeply missed by her many dear friends.

Ann's funeral service will be 10 a.m., Friday, March 20, 2009 at Meadowood Baptist Church 2816 Woodcrest and Reno Blvd, Midwest City, with interment following at Arlington Memory Gardens in Midwest City. Visitation will be held Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to: Mission Mid-Del, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, or to Young Life. Death, where is thy victory, for Ann has put on a radiant gown of immortality.