Annabelle Cecile Vandervort Tucker Long
Annabelle Cecile Vandervort Tucker Long was born on a farm near Burns, Butler County, Kansas, on February 13, 1930. She was the oldest child of Charles and Matilda Harms Hague. She had two half-brothers, Allen Hague and Clarence Vandervort; two half-sisters, Ima Jean Hague Ullom and Phyllis Vandervort Gibson, two brothers; Arden Douglas and Roger Lynn Vandervort; one sister, Glenda Vandervort King. Annabelle was raised near Walton, Kansas, and moved to La Fountain, Kansas, with her parents at the age of six. In 1939 her family moved from La Fountain to Elkhart. In 1943, Annabelle contracted polio and spent about three months in the Hays, Kansas hospital.
She attended the Elkhart Schools and graduated from Elkhart High School. She took college classes from various colleges at home.
Annabelle and James (Jim) Orrel Tucker were married on April 16, 1947. Jim was the second son of Orrel and Gertrude Tucker. Jim leased the Tri State News in 1952 and served as editor. Annabelle became the managing editor when they purchased the paper in 1961 from Willard Mayberry. During the first year of ownership, they converted the newspaper to offset printing, being the first offset newspaper in the state of Kansas.
Jim and Annabelle were the proud parents of two children, Katherine Jo born April 16, 1951, and James Kim born August 3, 1953. Jim passed away on July 16, 1971 at the age of 45. In 1976, Annabelle married Frank (Bud) Allen Long. Kim passed away on August 19, 1984.
Annabelle was a member of the United Methodist Church of Elkhart. She has served on many of the boards as well as being a Sunday School Teacher for many years. She enjoyed doing the research, writing and collecting articles and pictures for the 50th Anniversary of the Elkhart paper of 1963. She was a member of the ESA for several years. Her hobbies included oil painting, arts and crafts, playing golf and fishing. She and Bud spent considerable time traveling. Her greatest joys were her great-grandchildren.
Annabelle is survived by her daughter; Katherine Jo Chrin and husband Gerald (Jerry) Chrin of Elkhart; Grandchildren Natasha Ralene Millan and husband Juan of Conroe, TX, Brian Eric Schantz and wife Jeanne of Herington, KS, three great-grandchildren; Isaac James Millan, Kimberly Mya Schantz and Marissa Grace Millan. She is also survived by her brothers; Douglas Vandervort and wife Martha of Lincoln, NE and Roger Lynn Vandervort of Fort Townson, OK, one sister; Glenda Colene King of Hays, KS and many additional family members and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband; James Orrel Tucker, son; James Kim Tucker, husband; Frank Allen Long, brothers; Allen Hague and Clarence Vandervort, sisters; Ima Jean Ullom and Phyllis Gibson.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, Elkhart, KS with Reverend Dennis Reimer presiding. Burial will follow at Elkhart Cemetery, Elkhart, KS. Friends may call on Friday, April 22, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Garnand Funeral Home, Elkhart, Kansas. Memorials may be presented to the James Kim Tucker Memorial Scholarship or charity of your choice in care of Garnand Funeral Home, P.O. Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950
