Annette Jean Craddock

Annette J. Craddock, age 85, of Overland Park, KS, beloved mother, grandmother and life partner, passed away on December 15, 2023. Annette was born in Omaha, Nebraska on August 29, 1938 to Frank and Sylvia Nocita. She was raised in Kansas City, Missouri and attended St. Therese Little Flower grade school. She graduated from Hogan High School, class of 1955. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Avila College in 1964 and her Master of Arts, in Adult and Continuing Education, from the University of Missouri, Kansas City in 1978.

Annette had a long and varied career in the healthcare profession starting out as a floor nurse at St Joseph and Research Hospitals. She went on to work for the University of Kansas Medical Center as a Pulmonary Nurse Clinician where she helped develop and was an instructor in the graduate course for Pulmonary Nurse Practitioners. During this time she also began her affiliation with the American Lung Association presenting at conferences and giving lectures throughout the state of Kansas, regionally and nationally.

Annette was then hired by the American Nurses Association to manage their accreditation program. During this period she helped to develop and implement a national certification program for registered nurses, as well as facilitate the transition of the ANA headquarters from Kansas City, MO to the Washington, DC area. She ended her career years as a clinical researcher, working for Marion Merrell Dow conducting drug studies and then for Kansas City Clinical Oncology Program coordinating cancer research studies. She retired in 2005.

Annette cherished her family and friends. As a mother and grandmother her love and support were endless. She believed in the importance of recognizing life’s milestones and celebrating them. She embraced holidays, family birthdays, graduations and other events…making each occasion truly special. She took immense joy in spending time with her 2 grandsons, encouraging their educational and personal pursuits. She made it a priority to attend their school events, sports activities, music performances and award ceremonies.

For 50 years, Annette shared her life with Michael Lummis. Together they built a home centered on family, friends and devotion to each other. Through the years they attended many Chiefs, Royals and KU men’s basketball games. A willing companion to Mike, she went bass fishing, pheasant hunting, camping and took up golf. They shared a love of Maui, Hawaii. It was their special place. The family witnessed Annette and Mike face their final health challenges with grace, good humor and constant care for each other. They were long standing members of Curé of Ars Catholic Church and it is there they will have their Mass of Christian Burial.

Michael Lummis passed away on Dec. 17, 2023, surviving Annette by two days. In addition, Annette is survived by her daughters, Anne Craddock Gliddon and Michelle Lynn Hayman (Paul); brother, Thomas Nocita (Linda); grandsons, Coleman Gliddon and Mitchell Lummis; nephews, Nick Nocita (Lisa) and Matthew Nocita; niece, Christy Dean (Jimmy); son-in-law, Mike Cannaby; sister-in-law, MaryBeth Craddock; Michael Lummis’s children Jenifer Baker (Bob); Jeff Lummis (Lisa); Joliene Lummis. She was preceded in death by parents, Frank and Sylvia Nocita; her son, Thomas Kevin Craddock; and former spouse and friend William V. Craddock.

Funeral services will be held, for both Annette and Michael, on January 5, 2024, at Curé of Ars Catholic Church in Leawood, Kansas. Visitation at the church is from 9:00 to 10:45 A.M., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. A church luncheon for family and friends will follow the service. Interment will take place at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery after the luncheon. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, or Curé of Ars Catholic Church.