Ann was a phenomenal beacon of light in this world that is loved, missed, and will always be cherished by those who knew who her, and even some that didn’t. Our “Mammaw”, as she has been called for the last 37 years, was an amazing and adored daughter, wife, mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Ann’s story begins on November 14th, 1925, the third of four children born to John and Aline Moses. Ann was born in Vicksburg, MS. Ann spent her childhood there playing with her brothers and sisters, dancing, skating through the house, playing the flute in the band, and working at the family store, the Jitney Jungle. Ann met her future husband, Fred Sudeiha at a summer convention for the Lebanese-American Club, in which she was a lifetime member. Fred asked her for a dance at the convention, and Ann with her love to dance, agreed. Like she said, “shimmy and shake, like ya sister Kate”. The shimmy and shake must have done the trick because shortly thereafter they married in 1952.
Ann and Fred Sudeiha Sr. settled on Tuttle Avenue in Mobile, AL. They raised all four of their loving children there. Ann and Fred Sr. made a living working together; first at Sudeiha’s Grocery and then at Mr. 19 Drive-In Diner in downtown Mobile. She would later be the manager of the Mobile Infirmary Gift Shop until she was well into her seventies. After that, she still volunteered at Mobile Infirmary for as long as she was able.
Ann was renowned for her cooking and baking skills. Her favorite dishes to make were Lebanese dishes such as kibbie (which no one makes better), baklava, sfeehas, grapeleaves, taboulie, twist cookies, and fruitcake cookies. She shared her love for cooking and baking with her children and grandchildren so they too could make these dishes; even though they could never be quite as good as hers.
Maybe even more than her skills in the kitchen Ann was known for having the sweetest sweet tooth known to man. If it was sweet, she had to have it. Nothing quite hit the spot like a chocolate frosty from Wendy’s but that didn’t mean she would ever turn down a coke float, an ice cream sandwich, a chocolate candy bar, or any other of her many sweet treats. Maybe that is what made her such a sweet soul.
Other things that made her happy include attending church at Central Presbyterian, reading, watching Alabama football, coloring, playing catch, studying the Bible, getting her nails done, going on numerous adventures, collecting crosses, doing find-a-word books, her honeybunny bear, singing, fried shrimp, and absolutely anything the color blue.
Ann was, without a doubt, the happiest when she was with her family. Nothing in this world brought more joy to her life than to be with her family. If she could pick anywhere on this planet to be, it would be anywhere as long as they were there with her. It’s no wonder that’s the case, her family absolutely loved and adored her.
For the last eleven years of her life she resided at Crown Healthcare of Mobile on Dauphin St. There she met some of her best friends, Meriam Mcloughlin, Sue Shaw, and Ruth Fowler. We would like to thank all of the caregivers she had at Crowne over the years and extend a special thanks to activity directors Joni Gunn and Adrian Harmon, head nurse Ed Adams, and “special” caregivers Stephanie, Sheppard, Dimples, and Gray. We can’t thank y’all enough for taking care of our dear Mammaw all these years. We are forever indebted to you all.
Loved ones that cleared the path for Ann are her parents John and Aline Moses, husband Fred Sudeiha Sr., brothers John Moses Jr, Albert Moses (Dolly), sister Doris Abraham (Ed), and son-in-law William David Wright. Loved ones that will miss her until they meet again are her son Fred Sudeiha Jr.; her daughter Cheryl Ann Laird (James); her daughter Linda Marie Wright; her son James Nassiffe Sudeiha (Lisa); her grandchildren Jeremy Laird, Melissa Wright Bolton (Johnathan), Jenny Laird, Elizabeth Sudeiha, Victoria Sudeiha; and her great granddaughter Emma Laird. Others waiting to meet her again include family friends Yvonne and Wadie Gabriel, Joey Davis, and many other loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Pallbearers will be James Laird, Jeremy Laird, Johnathan Bolton, and Joey Davis.
We will be jealous of the angels until we meet you again, Mammaw. We miss you so incredibly much. We all love you, babe, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck!
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, December 23rd, at Pine Crest Cemetery, 1939 Dauphin Island Parkway.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Ann’s name.
Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.
