Annabel Yockey

(From Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home)

Annabel Yockey was born Oct. 27, 1933, to Joe and Lavilla (Mays) McCullick in a small cabin in Leila, Missouri, near Blackjack in northeast Cedar County. She was raised on her parents' farm, along with her little brother Jackie Joe, on the border of St. Clair and Cedar Counties. 

As a teenager she met her husband to be G.D. Yockey when he rode his horse bare back and barefooted into her yard. Annabel loved school and walked a long distance to catch the bus at 54 Highway. She talked about many scary encounters with mean bulls that ran the fence beside her. She graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1951, dreaming of being a teacher, but her parents did not want her to attend a college so far away in Springfield, Missouri.

Annabel and G.D. married in 1952 and went to work at the International Shoe Company. In 1962 they bought a farm near her parents and raised their two children, Linda Ann and Jimmie Dalton. Annabel and G.D. then went to work for Omer and Cleo Witt, working there together for the rest of their work lives. Annabel continued to work until the age of 75, as she was not ready to leave her many friends and work family.

Annabel was a great cook who always had an overflowing refrigerator. She was selfless and generous, always giving to others. After retirement she spent her time enjoying her many birds, especially hummingbirds, deer, and her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

She devoted her life to making sure that all that knew her also knew her Lord Jesus Christ, her beloved Savior. She was relentless at prayer and could move mountains with her faith. Annabel rocked each grandchild, niece, and nephew while singing (In the Garden) and all were read Bible stories. All who knew her loved her, and she them. She lived a simple life just down the road from her final resting place, Love Cemetery, where she was the secretary/treasurer for many years.

Annabel was preceded in death by husband, Grat Dalton; father and mother, Joe and Lavilla McCullick; father and mother-in-law, Bassett and Violet Yockey; brother, Jack; sister-in-law, Kay; and nephew, Joshua.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda Salkil (Bennie), El Dorado Springs, MO, son, Jim Yockey (Julie), Lamar, MO; grandchildren: Darren Salkil (Kris), Ami Backs (Jordan), Fallon Hines (Shannon), Samantha Harvel (Steven), Arty Torbeck (Dawn), and Karrie Torbeck; great-grandchildren: Emi Annabel, Clara E’lise, Lawson Clay, Genevieve Belle, Madeline Rose, Tucker Jorge, Taryn Mirann, Trent Thomas, and Kennedy Grace; as well as sister-in-law and sister-in-heart, Shirley McCullick and Gladys Coleman; many nieces and nephews; and many who affectionately called her “Grandma Annabel.”

She spent her last days and minutes making sure that everyone she encountered knew how wonderful her Jesus was, inviting them to know him like she did. She passed at 7:07 AM, July 28, 2024, with a smile on her face because she could see the Gardens and was going home. She will be waiting to see you all. Our loss is Heaven’s gain.

Visitation
Friday, August 2, 2024 at 6:30PM - 7:30PM
Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home
3130 East Highway 54
El Dorado Springs, MO 64744

Service
Saturday, August 3, 2024 at 10:00AM
El Dorado Springs Church of God (Holiness)
1607 S. Park Street
El Dorado Springs, MO 64744