Annabel Lee Ishmael's Obituary
Annabel Ishmael was born June 19, 1928 in Porum, Muskogee County, Oklahoma and graduated to Heaven on November 10, 2022 in Bend, Oregon. Annabel was the 4th of 5 children born to Walker Vernon Griffin and Bessie Abrilla (Hutton) Griffin. She graduated from Jenks High School in 1946 where she excelled at academics and was the graduation salutatorian.
Annabel lived a full life that always emphasized the importance of family and the Southern Baptist churches wherever she lived. She never lived alone until her husband passed in 2015 and was blessed to have the gift of a wonderful roommate, Carol Schmidt, at the Aspen Ridge Memory Care Center in Bend. She was also a gifted, bookkeeper where she worked mainly in the petroleum industry. Besides family, her passion was bridge. She was a master bridge player and had several master’s points. She was also active in various book clubs, bridge clubs, PTA, and the Beta Sigma Phi sorority, having held officer positions in all.
Annabel was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Wayne Ishmael, in 2015; by her parents Walker V. Griffin and Bessie A. Hutton Griffin; 4 siblings (sisters Goldy Mae Griffin Ferguson and Bonnie Lee Griffin Herron, brothers Ray, and Ralph Griffin), son-in-law Dennis McIlroy, her grandson Javan McIlroy, and granddaughter Maya Ishmael.
Annabel is survived by daughter Phyllis McIlroy; son Larry Ishmael and wife Francie; grandchildren, Heather McIlroy, Clayton Ishmael & wife Erin, Greg Ishmael & wife Joy and Reese Ishmael and wife Kaori; great-grandchildren Cody, Alexa, Kayson, Talise, and Aki Ishmael along with numerous nieces and nephews, as well as friends who became extended family.
Presiding will be the Dr. William L. (Hess) Hester, Jr., Senior Pastor at Southern Hills Baptist Church where her father was a deacon and co founder of the church and she was the oldest living member. Music will be provided by Rev. Robert Lowery.
A family reception will be held at Ted’s Escondido banquet room after the service.
Please send flowers to the Floral Haven Funeral Home if so inclined. Services will be held on November 29, 2022 at 12:30 pm. All are welcome
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