The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Memorial services for Annabelle Fairchild Stringer will be held at the Claybar Funeral Home Chapel, Tuesday July 7, at 3:00 p.m. Visitation will be at 2:00 p.m. before the service. Officiating the service will be Father Jim Sichko, pastor of St. Mark's Catholic Church in Richmond, KY. Father Jim was a special young man to Middie. She hated flying but flew to Kentucky to see him ordained into the priesthood although she was a member of First United Methodist Church.

It is hard to explain how special she made us all feel. We all thought we were her favorite. She lived her life to make her family happy.

Annabelle was born in East Texas June 8, 1918 to LaDona Thompson and John Washington Fairchild. She moved to Orange in 1936 at the age of 17 with the couple who owned the Mary Ann Cafe. While working at the cafe she met the love of her life Bill Stringer. They married two months later, on Christmas Day. Their life together continued for 47 years until Bill's death in 1983. They raised their children in a wonderful home full of love, laughter, and discipline with a switch when we needed it.

She made all of her daughters’ clothes.She also baked pies daily for when we came home from school and attended all our events. She was the strong wife and mother behind the scenes doing everything for her husband and children.

In later years her children and grandchildren spent summers, weekends and holidays at Middie and Paw Bill's "Country" near Bon Weir on the Sabine River. She spent the years after Bill passed away enjoying her grandchildren, great-grand-children and many friends. She loved having margarita parties for her friend's birthdays and special events. She was known for her welcoming home and wonderful cooking, and beautiful gardens. Christmas Eve was always magical and we were all so excited to see what was on the buffet.

Annabelle is survived by her daughter Betty Trotter, son Bill Stringer and wife Cheri of Austin, daughter Peggy Claybar and husband F. David; grandchildren Laurie Trotter Cook and Kimberly Johnson, Wil Trotter and wife Shawn, Chris Trotter and wife Kari, Alyson Steakley and husband Stephen, Cody Stringer and wife Davina, Lannie L. Claybar and wife Melanie, David Christian Claybar and wife Jennifer; great-grandchildren Amanda, Bryan, Lauren, Aaron, Drake, Matte, Savannah, Brylynn, Annabelle, Caroline, Alyssa, Walker, Colton and Keller Christian and great-great-grandchildren Luke and Jeffery.

We would like to thank the staff of Pinehurst Nursing and Rehabilitation and Southeast Texas Hospice for the loving care of our Middie.

In lieu of usual remembrances, memorials may be sent to these organizations in Annabelle's memory or the Alzheimer's Association - 700 North St. Beaumont, TX 77701. In addition, a very special thank you to the late Dr. Steve Mazzola for the many years of great care he provided.