Mrs. Annabel Seward Black, 87, of Woodbury, Tennessee passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2024. She was born in Rockwood, Tennessee on Tuesday, August 25, 1936 to the late Harry and Grayce Martin Seward. Also preceding her in death was her husband, Buddy Black, and several cousins and extended family members.
She is survived by her close friends, Tommy and Linda Malone of Woodbury, Pam Hawkersmith of Manchester, and Melinda Bailey of Woodbury; cousins, Katye Jones of Chattanooga and Marcia Marsh of Rockwood; and several other extended family members.
Born in the middle of the Great Depression as an only child, Annabel tended to not talk much about her childhood. However, she did keep her old high school basketball team photo and a few other cherished memories close at hand. While the stories were far and few between, the impact was pervasive in her life.
A woman of forethought, Annabel knew exactly what she wanted in life and set out to conquer what she set her mind to do. She attended Ohio State University and received her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts before going on to work for the State of Tennessee in Chattanooga. Working in the TN Department of Employment Security, her decisiveness and tact was noticed, and she took on the managerial role of the Department for almost 30 years.
Her drive got her noticed outside of the workplace too. It was on a blind date in Chattanooga that she met her future husband, Buddy. Recognizing that Annabel was the epitome of a lady, Buddy made sure to get on her radar. A decorated, professional horse and mule trainer and showman, Buddy didn’t know the challenge of the show he was entering himself in with Annabel. It might have been the hardest win of his career, but they were wed on November 26, 1983.
Work took the couple to McMinnville, where Annabel finished up her last years in the Department of Employment Security before the position was abolished. Then, they made their way to Woodbury, where Annabel and Buddy expanded their family through church. The First United Methodist Church of Woodbury became their church home, and they met friends to last a lifetime. Tommy and Linda were some of the first, and Annabel quickly found a sister, bonding with Linda about growing up as an only child.
Now, those friends really proved their worth when Annabel showed Buddy he wasn’t the only one with show-grade animals. Rather than horses, Annabel took up with rabbits. She trained them to use the litter box, and they had their own room in the house. Other than their habit of chewing up anything. they were clean and well-mannered. Annabel would drive anywhere to get their food, but Buddy didn’t have the same sentiment toward them. So, she got Tommy and Linda to take care of them anytime she was away.
Even though Annabel was thorough and particular, she made it easy to love her. Tommy picked at her that she was sweet (nearly) all the time, but everyone knew the truth of the matter with Annabel. She was set in her ways and stern, but her heart was filled with care and compassion. The wisdom of knowing when to draw a line in the sand and when to step over was her strong suit. Pam commented on what kind of a person it takes to keep and care for both your mother and mother-in-law at the same time. That was just Annabel.
If you knew her, you knew she was going to have the TV on when Ohio State was playing, speak her mind, make your heart and belly fuller, and strive to serve. Annabel enjoyed watching football in general, but when it came to her alma mater, don’t even try to call her when they were playing. If football wasn’t on, the TV usually got turned to old Westerns, Perry Mason, or Columbo. She must have picked up a thing or two from those shows because Annabel knew how to lay down the law.
She educated herself on current events and had strong political views. Pam would pick at her out of playful meanness, but Annabel had her rebuttal prepared. And when Ohio State lost? Even the men at church knew to steer clear. Melinda was about the only one that Annabel let talk to her no matter what the scenario, but Annabel couldn’t stay mad long. She was a giver, and it was an itch she never could scratch.
Time and time again, Annabel gave of herself, her time, and her talents. She could make your waistband grow a little tighter with her chocolate pecan candy, pimento cheese, and sweet potato casserole. When she decided to trade out rabbits for dogs, she took in rescues. Trixie was her loving companion until she had to be put down, but Sadie was already lined up for a better life too. She held a special place in her heart for God’s creatures.
Her servant’s heart led her to use her artistic abilities to paint the murals at the church in the Sunday School classes and for Christmas. She also knitted Afghans, nativity scenes, and prayer shawls for people. While knitting the prayer shawls, she would pray that whoever received it would be blessed by God. Then, it was passed around the congregation for additional prayers before being given to the individual in need. Then, it came a time when Annabel was in need of a prayer shawl herself.
When Buddy’s health began to fail, Melinda came into her life, and Melinda stayed as true to her as a daughter to her mother, taking care of Annabel after Buddy passed in 2017. Annabel doted on her with that signature love and care yet sternness when she felt it necessary. Rallying around her, Linda, Tommy, Pam, and Melinda aimed to make every day as easy and memorable as possible, and Annabel returned the favor through her love and devotion as a friend.
In all of the chaos of life, Annabel’s boat remained even-keeled because she let God take control of the rudder. She used her talents to bless people’s lives and her friendship to make them all the richer. Though she is getting to hear “Well done” and it is only a temporary parting, there are still holes in the hearts of those she left behind.
Visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Woodbury on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 from 12-2 pm. Funeral services will follow after on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 2 pm in the First United Methodist Church of Woodbury chapel. Rev. David Lilley and Bro. Scott Eggleston will officiate. Interment will be in Riverside Garden.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Woodbury.
Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Because every life has a story