Veta Annette Ryan
1941 – 2020
Veta Annette Ryan, “Annette”, age 78, passed away Monday, April 27, 2020. She was born June 25, 1941 in Mena, Arkansas to J.D. and Veta (Jones) Moore. The family moved to Del City, Oklahoma in 1947 where Annette graduated high school in 1959. Annette then enrolled at Central State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. She met her husband Dudley Ryan at CSU and the couple married on November 21, 1965 at Sunnylane Methodist Church in Del City, Oklahoma. Dudley and Annette made their home in Edmond, Oklahoma where they enjoyed their married life. On November 23, 1970, the couple welcomed their daughter Kimberly Ann. Annette was a jack of all trades. She enjoyed an early career at the IRS until she left to be a full-time mom to her daughter. She was a distributor of make-up, decorated department store windows and sold custom crafted art with her father and daughter until she found her dream job at the Photo Archives of University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma. At UCO she devoted herself to preserving and sharing the memories of the college and town that she loved. Annette was a historian at heart. She loved genealogy, photography and art. She excelled at meeting new people and making friends. Annette had the uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way. She cared so much for so many people she met and always helped those with any need she could accommodate. Annette was involved with her sorority Sigma Sigma Sigma serving many years as the Central State University chapter advisor and as an officer for the Edmond Alumni Chapter. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Edmond and served on their board of directors. She worshipped with the FUMC congregation every Sunday until her physical body was no longer able. Above all else, Annette treasured family. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved family get-togethers, had a passion for cooking and never missed a grandchild’s performance, or special event at school. She instilled an entrepreneurial spirit in her daughter, taught her granddaughter to love Elvis and introduced her grandson to checkers. She loved her family without judgement or measure. She persevered through loss and physical ailments, never losing her faith in the Lord or her love of life. She is deeply loved and will be deeply missed. Annette was predeceased by her parents J.D and Veta Moore, brother Jackie Dwayne Moore and brother David Michael Moore. She is survived by her husband Dudley Ryan, daughter Kimberly Ryan Leiterman, grandchildren Campbell and Keaghan Leiterman in addition to many nieces, nephews and cousins. Family, friends and any others whose lives Annette touched are invited to pay respects on May 4, 2020 from 1pm – 8pm at Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond, Oklahoma. Private burial services will take place on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 in Cushing, Oklahoma. A celebration of life for Annette will be planned as soon as pandemic restrictions are lifted. Memorial contributions in Annette’s name may be made to First United Methodist Church of Edmond.