Lucy Annabelle Packnett Salyer, a longtime resident of Safford, entered into heavenly rest Saturday morning, October 16, 2021, at the Desert Comfort Assisted Living in Phoenix, from causes incident to age. Annabelle was 100.
Annabelle was born August 15, 1921, in Sulphur, Oklahoma, to Franklin and Lucy Jane Packnett. She was the youngest of eleven children.
Annabelle always had happy memories of her childhood on her parents’ farm. This developed into a love of gardening and growing many beautiful plants in her home. She was a wonderful cook, loved to can vegetables and make jams and jellies. Buck and Annabelle had some great times camping and fishing. They spent many happy days in their camper at Big Lake or other campsites in Arizona. She enjoyed watching hummingbirds at the feeder right outside her window and doing word search puzzles. She was a devout Christian who loved listening to gospel music and watching The Bill Gaither Gospel Hour on Sundays. She loved her family dearly and was happiest when she had her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren around her.
Annabelle married the love of her life, Clarence “Buck” Salyer on January 14, 1939. They had five children: La Donna Cummings (Earl, deceased), Mary Regina Salyer (stillborn), Roger Dale Salyer (stillborn), Terry Salyer (deceased) (Carrol), and Beth Henke. Annabelle is survived by: daughters, La Donna and Beth; daughter-in-law, Carrol; ten grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Annabelle was preceded in death by: her parents; her ten siblings; her husband; her stillborn children Roger and Regina; her son, Terry; and her son-in-law, Earl.
Funeral services for Annabelle will be conducted Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 2:00 p.m., at Vining Funeral Home’s “Chapel of the Valley” by Pastor David Chapman of The River Community Church of Safford. Concluding services will follow in the Gila Valley Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends Saturday, October 30, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m., also at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
