- Date Of Birth: January 07, 1927
- Date Of Death: September 10, 2016
- State: Indiana
Christian woman, proud wife, loving mother, and tender soul are all words used to describe Annabelle Royal over her life. Annabelle passed away Saturday September 10, 2016 at Community Hospital Anderson. She was born January 7, 1927 to Guy and Mabel (Amos) Porter, in Elwood IN. She married Derrill Royal on July 2, 1955. He preceded her in death May 23, 2011.
She was a member of Fairmount Wesleyan Church where she served for many years as the Sunday school secretary/treasurer. She also served on various committees and was responsible for starting what later became the funeral dinner ministry. She was an avid sports fan who for years held season tickets to Madison-Grant boys basketball games and along with her husband, traveling to most road games, as well. She also followed I.U. and Indiana Pacer basketball, the Indianapolis Colts, Fort Wayne Comets, and was proud of being in attendance when Pete Rose of her Cincinnati Reds, won the hit title.
But she was most proud to faithfully follow the sports that her children participated in. She worked in high school at Docs corner drug store in the soda fountain. Upon graduating from Fairmount H.S. in 1944, she worked as a bookkeeper at the hardware store, worked as a waitress in various restaurants around town, meeting her future husband in Campbells Restaurant. And after marriage, she was a stay-at-home mother who babysat for several children from all around. She also served as the cashier for The Fowlerton Lions tenderloin suppers, greeting those at the door to join the serving line. However, her very most successful accomplishment was influencing every one of her children to know and love God.
She was an excellent cook and was known for what her family calls her Spaghetti-Lasagna. She also stocked her freezer with cranberries so that she could make her well known Cranberry Salad for family gatherings year round. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles and the challenge of a friendly euchre party. At the end of her life she resided at Colonial Oaks Health and Rehabilitation Center. While there, she was very well thought of and her family would like to thank everyone who works there for taking such loving care of her.
In particular, her family wants to thank Russell Ritter, who made the days a little bit more entertaining and enjoyable and her roommate Janet Jones who faithfully kept a watchful eye on her. Annabelle was a fighter who bounced back from several health issues over the last three years. She was very proud of her children and was a momma bear to the end, as she protected them from harm, leaving this earth only when her children were all away from her room or distracted.
Survivors include Mike (Pam) Vetor, Gas City, Ruthann Irvin, Gaston, Rhonda (Butch) Sears, Marion, Rita Royal, and Mark (Nicki) Royal, Fairmount. Grand children include, Jennifer Brooks, Anderson, Nicholas (Stacie) Vetor, Noblesville, Chanelle (Troy) Losure, and Carmon (Betsy) Sears, Gas City, Jared and Mark Sears, Marion, Ethan (Casey) Hood, Elwood, Cody (Logan) Hood, Anderson, Collin Hood, Anderson, and Macey Hood, Alexandria, along with 12 Great Grand-children and 4 Great-great grandchildren, and brother-in-law, Jim (Bonnie) Royal, Bluffton, IN.
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers in infancy, her sister Waneda Porter, step-mother Jennie Porter, daughter Bobbi Vetor, grandsons Jim Brooks, Braden Painter and John Sears, son-in-law Jim Irvin and her beloved pet Toy Poodle, Pepper.
