Annabel B. Smith was born at home near Perrington Michigan on December 5th 1925, to Samuel L. Fricke and Katherine Miniger Fricke. The oldest of eleven children, the first eight being girls, followed by three younger brothers. Annabel had many responsibilities, as well as vivid memories as she worked alongside her mother and father. Living through the Great Depression and Dirty Thirties they instilled in her a deep work ethic, as well as honesty and integrity.
Her Father, a minister in the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, moved his family frequently to pastor a church and find work. By the time Annabel was seven, they moved to their fourth home in Texline, Texas in 1932, just in time for the terrible dust bowl storms. Three of her sisters survived dust pneumonia. Her Mother would hang wet towels over the windows to keep the dust out of the house, but with little success. The dust was so fine it would collect in the lungs of humans and animals alike causing pneumonia and suffocation. Annabel recalled seeing dead animals beside the road after a dust storm, suffocated from the dust leaving an impact on her young mind.
In a family of 11 children, each child had responsibilities, and at 16 one of Annabel’s was to read the maps and navigate their family on a 1200 mile road trip from Kansas to Michigan in 1941. Her Father, an inventive adventurer, converted their 1936 Chevy by taking out the back seat and converting it to two bench seats. With a little bit of padding on the seats, along with all their clothes, bedding, and food for 13 people packed under benches, between feet, trunk, back window and lots of patience, they all headed out on their adventure. Annabel sat right behind her Daddy, studying maps and navigating the way. She has been the navigator of our family ever since.
Life was full of many lessons, growth and changes. In her 90 years, life changed from blocks of ice in an ice house for cooling food, and horses used for farming, to modern appliances, GPS, Facebook and the latest technology. Her ever-curious mind tried to keep up with it all and her family always admired her ability to adapt, change and learn new things.
As a young child, growing up with no TV or radio, her connection to the world was through print and reading soon became a favorite past time. Her father was a wonderful storyteller and he implanted a love for God’s word in his children with the many stories of the Bible. The Egermier’s Bible Story Book was read through more than once for their morning and evening devotions and, at a young age, Annabel placed her hope in Christ for her salvation and redemption, not only for this life but also her eternal life. God’s word became her plumb-line for truth that guided her throughout her life.
On May 6th, 1945 Annabel married the love of her life, Henry Smith, in Cimarron, Kansas. Shortly after, they packed their car and made their first trek to Beltsville, Maryland where Henry was serving his alternative military duty as a Conscious Objector at a government experiment farm working with animals, and also at Cleveland, Ohio for six months where he finished his service working in a Psychiatric Hospital. Their lives were filled with many happy memories, new experiences, and new places to explore. After completing his time of service, they headed back to Cimarron, Kansas and settled into a bootleggers shack they bought for $1000.00. Henry did custom harvesting throughout the harvest season, traveling from Nebraska to Texas.
It was here in 1946 they added their firstborn child Katherine Louise.
In 1947, they moved to Oklahoma, to the area where Henry was raised near Fairview, where they farmed. Life was filled with joy and they added 5 more children to their nest. Jim, Merrilie, Betty, Marsha and Donna. Life was busy and full.
Life was also filled with sorrow. In 1947, Annabel lost her 45 year old Father to cancer and 4 years later, her 14 year old brother in an auto accident . Her heart was broken for her Mother, left a widow too young with 9 children still at home to care for.
In 1961, Henry and Annabel with their 6 children moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Sent by their church to minister to the Native American girls who came to Phoenix from the reservation and lived at the boarding school there. They also developed a church nearby in El Mirage, working with the many migrant workers who traveled through to harvest the surrounding crops in the area. Sorrow again visited when they lost their 7th child a baby boy, named Micheal, who died 2 weeks before birth. Born on August 10th, 1964, Michael was buried in Phoenix and, heartbroken, they left shortly thereafter for Glenn California, where they lived approximately 10 years.
In May of 1969, joy visited again with the birth of Gary Timothy, and as Henry liked to say, they added the caboose to the family.
The call of new adventures ran deep within Henry and they moved from Glenn Ca. To Chinle, AZ , where he taught school, to Livingston, California, where he was a Nursing Home Administrator. He loved to travel and they spent part of 1973-74 traveling from the East to West coast, Mexico and Canada in an RV. As Annabel often stated, “I never wanted to move but every time I did it was a wonderful adventure that I enjoyed”.
In 1975 they immigrated to Northern Canada where Henry taught school and farmed. They loved the North Peace Valley and all the people who opened their hearts and homes to them, and developed deep roots and lasting relationships. They traveled every winter in an RV to Oregon and California to spend time with family. In 1987 Henry retired from farming, hung up his overalls, and accepted a position as a family visitation minister in Mission, B.C. They continued to travel many miles between California and Ft. St. John, BC, until Henry passed away in 1992 in Ft St. John, in the country he loved, leaving our Mother, Annabel a widow at the age of 66.
Once again our Mother faced sorrow and change along with a new season of life. For the first time in 47 years she faced the future alone, yet found quickly, the comfort and nearness of Jesus. The anchor and plumb line for her life held her steadfast and secure.
After nearly 20 years in Canada, she moved to Salem, OR, where her 2 daughters, Donna and Marsha and their families lived.
Never one to sit long, she immersed herself in their families and her new church family at Kingwood Bible Church. For 22 years she served, cared and shared her faith that brought others to Christ. She prayed daily for neighbors, friends and family and cared for those in need around her. She knew no strangers and thrived when she could show hospitality and friendship.
Over the years, as family moved away she felt the need for more help, she believed it would be best for her to relocate where there was more family, so in 2014, she moved to Chico, California where she resided until the time of her death, June 29, 2018. Even though her last few years were difficult, as her health declined, her life still reflected her prayerful life and faith. Jesus her anchor, held her secure and gently took her home, Ps. 92:14 “ They will flourish in the courts of our God, they will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, the Lord is upright; he is my rock and there is no wickedness in him.”
We all want our lives to count for something, something that leaves a mark on the world and gives our life meaning. Our Mother made her mark by her faithful walk with God and toward others.
In a world that says look out for number one, she looked out for others. In a world that says, keep it for yourself, she gave to others. In a world that often ridicules faith, she showed her faith in God by her example. In a world that says, do it your way, she did it Gods way. She didn’t boast of accomplishments, acquisitions or career, but invested her life in others and exampled the value of honesty, integrity, friendship and hospitality.
Annabel is survived by her seven children, twenty two grandchildren, and forty seven great grandchildren. She has left her family with a legacy of love, understanding, and closeness. The whole family (yes, almost 100 of them!) treasures the reunions they have spent together making dinner, singing hymns, and sharing memories. Well into her later years she still remembered and noted each family members’ birthdays and special anniversaries and always seemed to know how to show love to those around her in exactly the way they needed to receive it.
We look forward to our future reunion together and with the apostle Paul can say,
“we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering… we wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children including the new bodies he has promised us. Rom. 8: 11,20-23 NLT
He is faithful and his love never ends. Lam. 3:22-23
Her Father, a minister in the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, moved his family frequently to pastor a church and find work. By the time Annabel was seven, they moved to their fourth home in Texline, Texas in 1932, just in time for the terrible dust bowl storms. Three of her sisters survived dust pneumonia. Her Mother would hang wet towels over the windows to keep the dust out of the house, but with little success. The dust was so fine it would collect in the lungs of humans and animals alike causing pneumonia and suffocation. Annabel recalled seeing dead animals beside the road after a dust storm, suffocated from the dust leaving an impact on her young mind.
In a family of 11 children, each child had responsibilities, and at 16 one of Annabel’s was to read the maps and navigate their family on a 1200 mile road trip from Kansas to Michigan in 1941. Her Father, an inventive adventurer, converted their 1936 Chevy by taking out the back seat and converting it to two bench seats. With a little bit of padding on the seats, along with all their clothes, bedding, and food for 13 people packed under benches, between feet, trunk, back window and lots of patience, they all headed out on their adventure. Annabel sat right behind her Daddy, studying maps and navigating the way. She has been the navigator of our family ever since.
Life was full of many lessons, growth and changes. In her 90 years, life changed from blocks of ice in an ice house for cooling food, and horses used for farming, to modern appliances, GPS, Facebook and the latest technology. Her ever-curious mind tried to keep up with it all and her family always admired her ability to adapt, change and learn new things.
As a young child, growing up with no TV or radio, her connection to the world was through print and reading soon became a favorite past time. Her father was a wonderful storyteller and he implanted a love for God’s word in his children with the many stories of the Bible. The Egermier’s Bible Story Book was read through more than once for their morning and evening devotions and, at a young age, Annabel placed her hope in Christ for her salvation and redemption, not only for this life but also her eternal life. God’s word became her plumb-line for truth that guided her throughout her life.
On May 6th, 1945 Annabel married the love of her life, Henry Smith, in Cimarron, Kansas. Shortly after, they packed their car and made their first trek to Beltsville, Maryland where Henry was serving his alternative military duty as a Conscious Objector at a government experiment farm working with animals, and also at Cleveland, Ohio for six months where he finished his service working in a Psychiatric Hospital. Their lives were filled with many happy memories, new experiences, and new places to explore. After completing his time of service, they headed back to Cimarron, Kansas and settled into a bootleggers shack they bought for $1000.00. Henry did custom harvesting throughout the harvest season, traveling from Nebraska to Texas.
It was here in 1946 they added their firstborn child Katherine Louise.
In 1947, they moved to Oklahoma, to the area where Henry was raised near Fairview, where they farmed. Life was filled with joy and they added 5 more children to their nest. Jim, Merrilie, Betty, Marsha and Donna. Life was busy and full.
Life was also filled with sorrow. In 1947, Annabel lost her 45 year old Father to cancer and 4 years later, her 14 year old brother in an auto accident . Her heart was broken for her Mother, left a widow too young with 9 children still at home to care for.
In 1961, Henry and Annabel with their 6 children moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Sent by their church to minister to the Native American girls who came to Phoenix from the reservation and lived at the boarding school there. They also developed a church nearby in El Mirage, working with the many migrant workers who traveled through to harvest the surrounding crops in the area. Sorrow again visited when they lost their 7th child a baby boy, named Micheal, who died 2 weeks before birth. Born on August 10th, 1964, Michael was buried in Phoenix and, heartbroken, they left shortly thereafter for Glenn California, where they lived approximately 10 years.
In May of 1969, joy visited again with the birth of Gary Timothy, and as Henry liked to say, they added the caboose to the family.
The call of new adventures ran deep within Henry and they moved from Glenn Ca. To Chinle, AZ , where he taught school, to Livingston, California, where he was a Nursing Home Administrator. He loved to travel and they spent part of 1973-74 traveling from the East to West coast, Mexico and Canada in an RV. As Annabel often stated, “I never wanted to move but every time I did it was a wonderful adventure that I enjoyed”.
In 1975 they immigrated to Northern Canada where Henry taught school and farmed. They loved the North Peace Valley and all the people who opened their hearts and homes to them, and developed deep roots and lasting relationships. They traveled every winter in an RV to Oregon and California to spend time with family. In 1987 Henry retired from farming, hung up his overalls, and accepted a position as a family visitation minister in Mission, B.C. They continued to travel many miles between California and Ft. St. John, BC, until Henry passed away in 1992 in Ft St. John, in the country he loved, leaving our Mother, Annabel a widow at the age of 66.
Once again our Mother faced sorrow and change along with a new season of life. For the first time in 47 years she faced the future alone, yet found quickly, the comfort and nearness of Jesus. The anchor and plumb line for her life held her steadfast and secure.
After nearly 20 years in Canada, she moved to Salem, OR, where her 2 daughters, Donna and Marsha and their families lived.
Never one to sit long, she immersed herself in their families and her new church family at Kingwood Bible Church. For 22 years she served, cared and shared her faith that brought others to Christ. She prayed daily for neighbors, friends and family and cared for those in need around her. She knew no strangers and thrived when she could show hospitality and friendship.
Over the years, as family moved away she felt the need for more help, she believed it would be best for her to relocate where there was more family, so in 2014, she moved to Chico, California where she resided until the time of her death, June 29, 2018. Even though her last few years were difficult, as her health declined, her life still reflected her prayerful life and faith. Jesus her anchor, held her secure and gently took her home, Ps. 92:14 “ They will flourish in the courts of our God, they will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, the Lord is upright; he is my rock and there is no wickedness in him.”
We all want our lives to count for something, something that leaves a mark on the world and gives our life meaning. Our Mother made her mark by her faithful walk with God and toward others.
In a world that says look out for number one, she looked out for others. In a world that says, keep it for yourself, she gave to others. In a world that often ridicules faith, she showed her faith in God by her example. In a world that says, do it your way, she did it Gods way. She didn’t boast of accomplishments, acquisitions or career, but invested her life in others and exampled the value of honesty, integrity, friendship and hospitality.
Annabel is survived by her seven children, twenty two grandchildren, and forty seven great grandchildren. She has left her family with a legacy of love, understanding, and closeness. The whole family (yes, almost 100 of them!) treasures the reunions they have spent together making dinner, singing hymns, and sharing memories. Well into her later years she still remembered and noted each family members’ birthdays and special anniversaries and always seemed to know how to show love to those around her in exactly the way they needed to receive it.
We look forward to our future reunion together and with the apostle Paul can say,
“we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering… we wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children including the new bodies he has promised us. Rom. 8: 11,20-23 NLT
He is faithful and his love never ends. Lam. 3:22-23
Annabel B. Smith was born at home near Perrington Michigan on December 5th 1925, to Samuel L. Fricke and Katherine Miniger Fricke. The oldest of eleven children, the first eight being girls, followed by three younger brothers. Annabel had many responsibilities, as well as vivid memories as she worked alongside her mother and father. Living through the Great Depression and Dirty Thirties they instilled in her a deep work ethic, as well as honesty and integrity.
Her Father, a minister in the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, moved his family frequently to pastor a church and find work. By the time Annabel was seven, they moved to their fourth home in Texline, Texas in 1932, just in time for the terrible dust bowl storms. Three of her sisters survived dust pneumonia. Her Mother would hang wet towels over the windows to keep the dust out of the house, but with little success. The dust was so fine it would collect in the lungs of humans and animals alike causing pneumonia and suffocation. Annabel recalled seeing dead animals beside the road after a dust storm, suffocated from the dust leaving an impact on her young mind.
In a family of 11 children, each child had responsibilities, and at 16 one of Annabel’s was to read the maps and navigate their family on a 1200 mile road trip from Kansas to Michigan in 1941. Her Father, an inventive adventurer, converted their 1936 Chevy by taking out the back seat and converting it to two bench seats. With a little bit of padding on the seats, along with all their clothes, bedding, and food for 13 people packed under benches, between feet, trunk, back window and lots of patience, they all headed out on their adventure. Annabel sat right behind her Daddy, studying maps and navigating the way. She has been the navigator of our family ever since.
Life was full of many lessons, growth and changes. In her 90 years, life changed from blocks of ice in an ice house for cooling food, and horses used for farming, to modern appliances, GPS, Facebook and the latest technology. Her ever-curious mind tried to keep up with it all and her family always admired her ability to adapt, change and learn new things.
As a young child, growing up with no TV or radio, her connection to the world was through print and reading soon became a favorite past time. Her father was a wonderful storyteller and he implanted a love for God’s word in his children with the many stories of the Bible. The Egermier’s Bible Story Book was read through more than once for their morning and evening devotions and, at a young age, Annabel placed her hope in Christ for her salvation and redemption, not only for this life but also her eternal life. God’s word became her plumb-line for truth that guided her throughout her life.
On May 6th, 1945 Annabel married the love of her life, Henry Smith, in Cimarron, Kansas. Shortly after, they packed their car and made their first trek to Beltsville, Maryland where Henry was serving his alternative military duty as a Conscious Objector at a government experiment farm working with animals, and also at Cleveland, Ohio for six months where he finished his service working in a Psychiatric Hospital. Their lives were filled with many happy memories, new experiences, and new places to explore. After completing his time of service, they headed back to Cimarron, Kansas and settled into a bootleggers shack they bought for $1000.00. Henry did custom harvesting throughout the harvest season, traveling from Nebraska to Texas.
It was here in 1946 they added their firstborn child Katherine Louise.
In 1947, they moved to Oklahoma, to the area where Henry was raised near Fairview, where they farmed. Life was filled with joy and they added 5 more children to their nest. Jim, Merrilie, Betty, Marsha and Donna. Life was busy and full.
Life was also filled with sorrow. In 1947, Annabel lost her 45 year old Father to cancer and 4 years later, her 14 year old brother in an auto accident . Her heart was broken for her Mother, left a widow too young with 9 children still at home to care for.
In 1961, Henry and Annabel with their 6 children moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Sent by their church to minister to the Native American girls who came to Phoenix from the reservation and lived at the boarding school there. They also developed a church nearby in El Mirage, working with the many migrant workers who traveled through to harvest the surrounding crops in the area. Sorrow again visited when they lost their 7th child a baby boy, named Micheal, who died 2 weeks before birth. Born on August 10th, 1964, Michael was buried in Phoenix and, heartbroken, they left shortly thereafter for Glenn California, where they lived approximately 10 years.
In May of 1969, joy visited again with the birth of Gary Timothy, and as Henry liked to say, they added the caboose to the family.
The call of new adventures ran deep within Henry and they moved from Glenn Ca. To Chinle, AZ , where he taught school, to Livingston, California, where he was a Nursing Home Administrator. He loved to travel and they spent part of 1973-74 traveling from the East to West coast, Mexico and Canada in an RV. As Annabel often stated, “I never wanted to move but every time I did it was a wonderful adventure that I enjoyed”.
In 1975 they immigrated to Northern Canada where Henry taught school and farmed. They loved the North Peace Valley and all the people who opened their hearts and homes to them, and developed deep roots and lasting relationships. They traveled every winter in an RV to Oregon and California to spend time with family. In 1987 Henry retired from farming, hung up his overalls, and accepted a position as a family visitation minister in Mission, B.C. They continued to travel many miles between California and Ft. St. John, BC, until Henry passed away in 1992 in Ft St. John, in the country he loved, leaving our Mother, Annabel a widow at the age of 66.
Once again our Mother faced sorrow and change along with a new season of life. For the first time in 47 years she faced the future alone, yet found quickly, the comfort and nearness of Jesus. The anchor and plumb line for her life held her steadfast and secure.
After nearly 20 years in Canada, she moved to Salem, OR, where her 2 daughters, Donna and Marsha and their families lived.
Never one to sit long, she immersed herself in their families and her new church family at Kingwood Bible Church. For 22 years she served, cared and shared her faith that brought others to Christ. She prayed daily for neighbors, friends and family and cared for those in need around her. She knew no strangers and thrived when she could show hospitality and friendship.
Over the years, as family moved away she felt the need for more help, she believed it would be best for her to relocate where there was more family, so in 2014, she moved to Chico, California where she resided until the time of her death, June 29, 2018. Even though her last few years were difficult, as her health declined, her life still reflected her prayerful life and faith. Jesus her anchor, held her secure and gently took her home, Ps. 92:14 “ They will flourish in the courts of our God, they will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, the Lord is upright; he is my rock and there is no wickedness in him.”
We all want our lives to count for something, something that leaves a mark on the world and gives our life meaning. Our Mother made her mark by her faithful walk with God and toward others.
In a world that says look out for number one, she looked out for others. In a world that says, keep it for yourself, she gave to others. In a world that often ridicules faith, she showed her faith in God by her example. In a world that says, do it your way, she did it Gods way. She didn’t boast of accomplishments, acquisitions or career, but invested her life in others and exampled the value of honesty, integrity, friendship and hospitality.
Annabel is survived by her seven children, twenty two grandchildren, and forty seven great grandchildren. She has left her family with a legacy of love, understanding, and closeness. The whole family (yes, almost 100 of them!) treasures the reunions they have spent together making dinner, singing hymns, and sharing memories. Well into her later years she still remembered and noted each family members’ birthdays and special anniversaries and always seemed to know how to show love to those around her in exactly the way they needed to receive it.
We look forward to our future reunion together and with the apostle Paul can say,
“we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering… we wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children including the new bodies he has promised us. Rom. 8: 11,20-23 NLT
He is faithful and his love never ends. Lam. 3:22-23
Her Father, a minister in the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, moved his family frequently to pastor a church and find work. By the time Annabel was seven, they moved to their fourth home in Texline, Texas in 1932, just in time for the terrible dust bowl storms. Three of her sisters survived dust pneumonia. Her Mother would hang wet towels over the windows to keep the dust out of the house, but with little success. The dust was so fine it would collect in the lungs of humans and animals alike causing pneumonia and suffocation. Annabel recalled seeing dead animals beside the road after a dust storm, suffocated from the dust leaving an impact on her young mind.
In a family of 11 children, each child had responsibilities, and at 16 one of Annabel’s was to read the maps and navigate their family on a 1200 mile road trip from Kansas to Michigan in 1941. Her Father, an inventive adventurer, converted their 1936 Chevy by taking out the back seat and converting it to two bench seats. With a little bit of padding on the seats, along with all their clothes, bedding, and food for 13 people packed under benches, between feet, trunk, back window and lots of patience, they all headed out on their adventure. Annabel sat right behind her Daddy, studying maps and navigating the way. She has been the navigator of our family ever since.
Life was full of many lessons, growth and changes. In her 90 years, life changed from blocks of ice in an ice house for cooling food, and horses used for farming, to modern appliances, GPS, Facebook and the latest technology. Her ever-curious mind tried to keep up with it all and her family always admired her ability to adapt, change and learn new things.
As a young child, growing up with no TV or radio, her connection to the world was through print and reading soon became a favorite past time. Her father was a wonderful storyteller and he implanted a love for God’s word in his children with the many stories of the Bible. The Egermier’s Bible Story Book was read through more than once for their morning and evening devotions and, at a young age, Annabel placed her hope in Christ for her salvation and redemption, not only for this life but also her eternal life. God’s word became her plumb-line for truth that guided her throughout her life.
On May 6th, 1945 Annabel married the love of her life, Henry Smith, in Cimarron, Kansas. Shortly after, they packed their car and made their first trek to Beltsville, Maryland where Henry was serving his alternative military duty as a Conscious Objector at a government experiment farm working with animals, and also at Cleveland, Ohio for six months where he finished his service working in a Psychiatric Hospital. Their lives were filled with many happy memories, new experiences, and new places to explore. After completing his time of service, they headed back to Cimarron, Kansas and settled into a bootleggers shack they bought for $1000.00. Henry did custom harvesting throughout the harvest season, traveling from Nebraska to Texas.
It was here in 1946 they added their firstborn child Katherine Louise.
In 1947, they moved to Oklahoma, to the area where Henry was raised near Fairview, where they farmed. Life was filled with joy and they added 5 more children to their nest. Jim, Merrilie, Betty, Marsha and Donna. Life was busy and full.
Life was also filled with sorrow. In 1947, Annabel lost her 45 year old Father to cancer and 4 years later, her 14 year old brother in an auto accident . Her heart was broken for her Mother, left a widow too young with 9 children still at home to care for.
In 1961, Henry and Annabel with their 6 children moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Sent by their church to minister to the Native American girls who came to Phoenix from the reservation and lived at the boarding school there. They also developed a church nearby in El Mirage, working with the many migrant workers who traveled through to harvest the surrounding crops in the area. Sorrow again visited when they lost their 7th child a baby boy, named Micheal, who died 2 weeks before birth. Born on August 10th, 1964, Michael was buried in Phoenix and, heartbroken, they left shortly thereafter for Glenn California, where they lived approximately 10 years.
In May of 1969, joy visited again with the birth of Gary Timothy, and as Henry liked to say, they added the caboose to the family.
The call of new adventures ran deep within Henry and they moved from Glenn Ca. To Chinle, AZ , where he taught school, to Livingston, California, where he was a Nursing Home Administrator. He loved to travel and they spent part of 1973-74 traveling from the East to West coast, Mexico and Canada in an RV. As Annabel often stated, “I never wanted to move but every time I did it was a wonderful adventure that I enjoyed”.
In 1975 they immigrated to Northern Canada where Henry taught school and farmed. They loved the North Peace Valley and all the people who opened their hearts and homes to them, and developed deep roots and lasting relationships. They traveled every winter in an RV to Oregon and California to spend time with family. In 1987 Henry retired from farming, hung up his overalls, and accepted a position as a family visitation minister in Mission, B.C. They continued to travel many miles between California and Ft. St. John, BC, until Henry passed away in 1992 in Ft St. John, in the country he loved, leaving our Mother, Annabel a widow at the age of 66.
Once again our Mother faced sorrow and change along with a new season of life. For the first time in 47 years she faced the future alone, yet found quickly, the comfort and nearness of Jesus. The anchor and plumb line for her life held her steadfast and secure.
After nearly 20 years in Canada, she moved to Salem, OR, where her 2 daughters, Donna and Marsha and their families lived.
Never one to sit long, she immersed herself in their families and her new church family at Kingwood Bible Church. For 22 years she served, cared and shared her faith that brought others to Christ. She prayed daily for neighbors, friends and family and cared for those in need around her. She knew no strangers and thrived when she could show hospitality and friendship.
Over the years, as family moved away she felt the need for more help, she believed it would be best for her to relocate where there was more family, so in 2014, she moved to Chico, California where she resided until the time of her death, June 29, 2018. Even though her last few years were difficult, as her health declined, her life still reflected her prayerful life and faith. Jesus her anchor, held her secure and gently took her home, Ps. 92:14 “ They will flourish in the courts of our God, they will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, the Lord is upright; he is my rock and there is no wickedness in him.”
We all want our lives to count for something, something that leaves a mark on the world and gives our life meaning. Our Mother made her mark by her faithful walk with God and toward others.
In a world that says look out for number one, she looked out for others. In a world that says, keep it for yourself, she gave to others. In a world that often ridicules faith, she showed her faith in God by her example. In a world that says, do it your way, she did it Gods way. She didn’t boast of accomplishments, acquisitions or career, but invested her life in others and exampled the value of honesty, integrity, friendship and hospitality.
Annabel is survived by her seven children, twenty two grandchildren, and forty seven great grandchildren. She has left her family with a legacy of love, understanding, and closeness. The whole family (yes, almost 100 of them!) treasures the reunions they have spent together making dinner, singing hymns, and sharing memories. Well into her later years she still remembered and noted each family members’ birthdays and special anniversaries and always seemed to know how to show love to those around her in exactly the way they needed to receive it.
We look forward to our future reunion together and with the apostle Paul can say,
“we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering… we wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children including the new bodies he has promised us. Rom. 8: 11,20-23 NLT
He is faithful and his love never ends. Lam. 3:22-23
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