Birth date: Nov 27, 1929 Death date: Jan 17, 2021
Annabelle Best passed away on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 91 years, 1 month, and 21 days. She was born on Wednesday November 27, 1929 in Shidler, Oklahoma to James Edward Huc Read Obituary
As a young teen, my friends mother’s felt like my mother too and this is no exception. I’m of an age when you called your friends parents Mr and Mrs and that’s how I will always think of her, Mrs. Best. She was a kind, warm and welcoming woman who always made people comfortable. I can only imagine the beautiful reunion she must be having with her loving husband and daughter. Always much love to Vernesa, you’re so lucky to have been raised by such a sweet woman. I love you.
I have many memories of her from when we kids were little—the time when mom was in the hospital and we’d wake up to the smell of frying bacon and we’d get to have our milk with Hershey’s chocolate syrup in it! The distinctive scent of cinnamon flavored Trident gum and the little paper wrapper it came in will always be a reminder of her. Her pea salad she’d make that I will always think of as being her signature pot luck dish, whether that was true or not, will always be tied to her. Anytime I fry okra, I always think of how she’d do it and try to make it like hers, although it’s never the same. She and Pop-Pop were the reason I decided to go to Graceland when I drove through Memphis with my best friend! It must have been listening to Elvis Christmas songs for so many years. Thank you for the love and memories we made with you.
Annabelle and Vern were so very dear! I have beautiful memories of time spent with them and my grandparents. We always called her Grandmother Best, and she delighted in teasing my Grandmother that she was the 'Best.' Such a lovely lady, Godly woman. No tribute to Grandmother Best would be complete without mentioning the Dentyne cinnamon gum she always carried in her purse and shared freely with all her 'loves.' Even on my wedding day, in the reception line, there was Grandmother Best with Dentyne. She will be missed. She was a blessing to me!
All my love,
Lisa (Pratt) Kirkwood
(Granddaughter of Elmo & Eunice Pratt)
