Annabelle Elaine (Crowell) Samuelson

Annabelle was born in Bloomingdale Michigan, the daughter of John Delbert and Cora Blaine Wright Crowell.  Her family moved to Allegan when she was five and it remained her home the rest of her life.  Her family joined the First Baptist Church of Allegan and she remained an active member her whole life.  It was there she met her husband, George Solomon Samuelson, whom she married in 1947.  It was there she raised her family.

She attended school in Allegan, graduating at 17 years of age.  She went to County Normal School (now Western Michigan University) and got a one-year teaching certificate.  At 18 she became the teacher of a one-room school in Hopkins.  Some of the students were taller than she.

During WW II she worked on Defense Department production at Rockwell.  She attended Moody Bible Institute (Chicago) where she earned a degree in Christian Education.  She also honed her singing ability there which was used often in choir, solos and ensembles at church.

She devoted herself to being a homemaker and serving the Lord there, in her church and in her community.  This included:  Blackman school mothers' club, Primary Sunday School Dept. Superintendant, SS teacher, Pioneer Girls leader, Cubbies helper, nursery worker, Kids' Hope Mentor, 4-H (cake decorating and sewing), Friendship Force (traveling and hosting travelers from around the world), blood donor, election volunteer, and Mothers of Preschoolers volunteer.  She loved praying for people and studying the Bible.  She forged friendships with young mothers and with people in need.  She was a capable hostess and cook.  She is well-known as a savvy and determined Scrabble player (among other games).

She was preceded in death by her husband, George; her brothers Elton and Arlo Crowell, her son-in-law Paddy Lowry; her great granddaughter Elizabeth (Angie) Leopold.  She is survived by her 100 year old sister, Naomi Northington, children Georgiana Lowry, James (Leslie Good) Samuelson, Thomas (Linda Long) Samuelson, Robert (Arlene Warner) Samuelson, Nannette (David) DeCook; 17 grandchildren:  Ami Wilson, Deborah Lowry, Ryan (Emily) Lowry, Kyle (Cindy) Lowry, Sarah (David) Duarte, Erik (Kendall) Samuelson, Jason (Melanie) Samuelson, Selena (AJ) Noel, Chris (Katie) Samuelson, Cheryl (David) Cloutier, Heidi (Jim) Jones, Andy (Jennifer) Warner, Chris (Raven) Warner, Angie (John) Leopold, Felicia (David) Dyksterhouse, Jared (Natalie) DeCook, Zachariah (Amanda) DeCook. Plus 38 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was married 38 years and lived as a widow for 38 years.

One local friend said, "She has made an impact in this world that has an everlasting ripple effect on so many lives."

Friends may meet with the family at the First Baptist Church of Allegan (1290 32nd St., Allegan, MI 49010) on Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at which time the Funeral Service will begin.  Annabelle will be laid to rest next to her husband in Hudson Corners Cemetery, Allegan Township.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Annabelle’s name to First Baptist Church of Allegan, Kids Hope at First Baptist Church of Allegan, or Bangla Ministries Worldwide (https://banglaministries.org/).

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