Annette Wilson-Tisdale

Annette Wilson-Tisdale, born Rebecca Annette Cobb on a dairy farm in Muskogee, Oklahoma, on July 29, 1940 and departed September 27, 2022, had a hell of a run. Born to John Cobb and the second of what would be 5 children of Lillie Kennedy, the family moved first to California, then to Massachusetts, seeking brighter horizons. Annette went to work young, starting in tobacco and fruit fields, then the Belchertown State School, before becoming a hairdresser. Annette met and married Samuel DeWitt Wilson in Massachusetts, and they built a thriving life together with their four children, Robynette, Randyll, Richard, and Hunter. They owned two businesses, a hair salon and an auto garage, and lived in a fabled house on a hill in Blandford. They loved spending time with their eldest granddaughter Audrey, visiting the family house in Maine, fishing, hunting, dancing, motorcycling, breeding dogs, snowmobiling, and just about everything else in life. Tragedy struck in 1985 when Sam passed away at only 45. After a few difficult years, Annette and Hunter settled in Central Florida, where Lillie had relocated and needed care in her late life. Ann took in her granddaughter, Amber, and raised her as her own, and also took on a new challenge working in the lab at Florida Foods. She helped to develop the recipe for V8 Juice, among others, while diligently caring for her mother and Amber. Following Lillie’s death in 2001, Annette reconnected with Roy Lee Tisdale, whom she had known growing up in Western Massachusetts. They married in 2003 and enjoyed their later years together. Along the way, they took in Roy’s adult daughter, Leah, and Annette’s granddaughter, Taylor. Annette adored animals, and at one point had 5 dogs and 10 cats, most of whom had adopted her by showing up at her door. Roy passed on in 2010, and in her endless generosity, Annette continued to care for her stepdaughter Leah up until her own death. Known as Annette, Ann, mom, mommer, Gram, GG, Riggy, the Grand Fairy, and more, she was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, niece, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, matriarch, storyteller, voracious reader, amateur historian, and so much more than can be put into words. She loved holidays, especially Christmas. She dedicated her life to caring for others, and was fiercely adored and admired by her people. No one who loved her was ready to say goodbye just yet. She lives on in her children, Robynette, Randyll, and Hunter; her brother, Jimmy; her grandchildren, Audrey, Erik, Destinee, Taylor, and Amber; her great-grands, Charlotte, Claire, Renee, and Liliana, and many beloved nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. She goes behind her beloved mother Lillie, her father John, her stepfather Garold, her husband Sam, her husband Roy, her siblings Polly, Cherry, and David, her son Richard, and many beloved aunts, uncles, relatives, and friends. Annette was a monthly donor to the SPCA and loved the Lake County Public Library. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make donations to these causes so close to her heart. She chose to be cremated and her ashes will be spread in the ocean privately with family; details of her Celebration of Life will be shared very soon.

Annette Wilson-Tisdale

July 29, 1940 - September 27, 2022