Nadia Samara Shadid

We lost our beautiful wife, mother, and sitty, Nadia Samara Shadid, on December 2, 2021. She lived a wonderful life, and was surrounded by her family when she went to be with Our Lord.Nadia was full of life and vigor. She worked circles around everyone—nothing could slow her down. During high school, she was selected as a top student and always excelled in her academics.In 1954, at the young age of 17, she met the love of her life, Sam S. Shadid. After a short courtship, they married on October 3, 1954 and spent 67 beautiful years together. Soon after their marriage, they headed to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, where Sam reported for military duty. They were later stationed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for two years, where they started a family with the birth of their firstborn, Saundra. Two years later, upon their return to Oklahoma City, in their green 1949 Plymouth, Sam commented, "Mama, do you realize everything we own is in this car, including our baby, Saundra?"By 1960, Sam and Nadia bought Bi-Rite Market, and worked side by side for over 30 years. Nadia was the bookkeeper and heart of the store. One Christmas, after visiting with a young child who had received no gifts, she decided Bi-Rite Market needed to have a holiday drawing for the children. From that day forward, they had an annual Christmas toy drawing, which was the holiday event of the Bi-Rite neighborhood.In addition to working alongside Sam at Bi-Rite, Nadia enjoyed camaraderie with her Bonne Heure sisters, reading a good book, and many other interests. Nadia was a lifelong member of St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church. She enjoyed the full life of the church, from serving as an officer in the Ladies Aid, to selling "Nadia's Famous Rum Cakes" at the annual bake sale—Nadia was the consummate steward. In her early years, Nadia was an avid member of the St. Elijah choir. The congregation was blessed with the voice of an angel, which became a distinct part of her identity. Every holiday, she sang "Bless This House" at the request of her father, Nabeeh. On two special occasions, Nadia sang "The Lord's Prayer" for 1,000 soldiers at the Fort Chaffee Chapel, and "The Days of Wine and Roses" for a Bonne Heure annual show. In her later years, singing "I Love You a Bushel and a Peck" with her great-grandchildren always brought her joy.Nadia was an excellent gardener and canner of her bounty. One year, Sam secretly entered her apricot preserves in the State Fair competition. To no one's surprise, she won a first-place blue ribbon. Sam and Nadia raised their growing family of four children—Saundra, Karla, Paul, and David—in Oklahoma City. Above all, her favorite past-time was spending time with her family. Beginning with Sam, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, her love showed no bounds. Her lavish holiday preparation and hospitality could not be matched. In fact, we still cannot replicate her salata dressing!Nadia is preceded in death by her parents, Adeeba and Nabeeh Samara; her mother and father-in-law, Alexandra and Hafeeth Shadid; and sisters and brothers-in-law, A. Phil Shadid, Amy and Edmund Massad, Sameera and Dr. Ray Cohlmia, Yevonne and Harry Homsey, Dr. Sam Badeen, and Gerald Hamra. Nadia is survived by her husband, Sam; and her children, Saundra and James Farha, Karla and George Cohlmia, Dr. Paul and Jennifer Shadid, and Dr. David and Lydia Shadid, all of Oklahoma City. Additionally, she is survived by her grandchildren, Jennifer and Dr. Trey Homsey, Christopher and Hilaree Farha, Dr. Adam and Alexandra Cohlmia, Andrew Farha and Belén Mancilla, Jessica and Bryan Beavers, Kasey Cohlmia, Dr. Paul, Jr. and Erika Shadid, Peter and Lauren Shadid, Samuel Shadid, and Cate Shadid; her great-grandchildren Sammy, Sophie, Charlie, Ainsley, Sarah, Demi, Colt, Ellis, and Paul, III.She is further survived by her siblings, Lillian Badeen, Dianna and William Kakish, Carolyn Hamra, Dr. E.N. Scott and Leslie Samara, Andrea and Dr. Johnny Jones, Jr.; her sister-in-law, Katherine Shadid; and many loving nieces and nephews.We extend a special thank you to our caregivers from Senior Helpers, Michele and Sherri; our newest caregiver, Linda; and our long-time caregiver, Marshal Young, who cared for Mom and showered her with love as if she were her own.Visitation and services will be held at St. Elijah Orthodox Church. The visitation and viewing will be on Sunday, December 5, 2021, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. The funeral service will be on Monday, December 6, 2021, at 12:00 p.m., followed by interment at Fairlawn Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the "Flowers That Do Not Wither" Fund at St. Elijah Orthodox Church.With love, may her memory be eternal.