Ann Neal
Criglar Briggs
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Born in Annapolis, Maryland to Maude B and Abraham L. Criglar Sr., Ann was the second child born of this union. Her brother Abraham L. Criglar Jr., preceded her in death (2016). Ann’s stay in Maryland was brief as her father, a Pastor in the AME Church, transferred to Saint Paul’s AME church San Bernardino, CA in 1944.
While attending High School, Ann met her first love John and from that union her first child Valerie was born in. Ann returned to finish high school and participated in the Cardinal HS Choir and Future Teachers of America. Ann graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1958. Ann’s desire to help people started her journey in becoming a talented seamstress and baker. Her cakes and pies to this day are legendary!
A young and handsome Air Force airman named Jimmy R. Redd caught Ann’s attention and in November 1959 they married. Jimmy and Ann were blessed to have 4 children: Kevin, Carolyn, James, and Dwayne. Sadly, they would lose their daughter Carolyn 18 months after her birth from Sickle Cell Anemia. Ann and Jimmy continued to live in San Bernardino until their divorce in 1966. With her newfound independence, Ann decided to move from Southern California to Northern California with her 3 sons to join her eldest daughter and mother, Maude Criglar, to set up residence in Sacramento.
During this time, Ann put her penchant for caring to good use and started her career in the nursing profession as a nurses’ aide. In 1971, she graduated from Sacramento City College as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Ann started working at Sutter Hospital as a nurse and completed her 42-year career at UC Davis Medical Center as an administrator. While attending college, she met a hard-working widower, Burney Briggs, who also had 4 children. Ann and Burney married in December 1972 and were together until his death in 1979.
As a” PK” (preachers’ kid) Ann was a passionate and active member in the AME Church. She served as a choir member in multiple choirs; as a Trustee; and in Leadership of the Lydia Smith Ward Women’s Missionary Society, of which she would serve from the early 1980s to 2024. She was a Cleo B. Love Honoree, and honored as a “Living Legend” of the WMS. In 2022, Ann was awarded Lifetime Membership by the California Conference WMS 5th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. This honor was given for her continuous service, in good and regular standing, on all levels supporting the WMS through its mission programs and service and by mentoring and encouraging new members including her grand-daughter Sis. La Krisha Young and great-grand children, creating 5 generations of service in the Lord.
Ann, a loving, caring, humorous and hard-working soul lived a blessed and fruitful life. She was adored and cherished by many. Ann is survived by her 4 adult children, 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
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