Betty Freeny Herrington

Betty Freeny Herrington was born on September 20, 1932 to James Lloyd Freeny and Nell Cannon Freeny in Freeny, Mississippi. She died peacefully on April 18, 2023 at her home surrounded by her children.

Betty was proud to say that she was born in Freeny, graduated from Freeny High School, attended Freeny Baptist Church, and helped to run the family’s Freeny General Store. What wonderful memories she held of an upbringing in a Christian community in Leake County, Mississippi.

Betty married Mims Mitchell Herrington of Pearl, on February 14, 1958. They made their home in Pearl, Mississippi. Their marriage was blessed with three children. Betty was a devoted mother to their son, Mims Mitchell Herrington, Jr (Patrice), and twin daughters, Barbie Lynn Hood (Tony) and Dr. Betsy Herrington Melton (Charlie).

Betty’s main career was in the Pearl School District where she served the students of Pearl, Mississippi with her whole heart. She is loved by many of the students who passed through the halls of Pearl Junior High and Pearl High School. She supported every school endeavor, fundraiser, sports team, and school event.

Betty was a member of Eastside Baptist Church in Pearl for 65 years. She was the beautiful alto voice in the choir, Sunday School teacher, Children’s Choir Director, wedding and baby shower hostess, ice cream supper organizer, and Bible School teacher. She was present every time the church doors were open. She led many to children to Christ through her storytelling and witness. Betty lived her life according to the examples, teachings, and commandments of her personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Musically and poetically gifted with the Cannon/Freeny family genes, Betty, along with her Freeny sisters and daughters, have performed extensively throughout the state for countless weddings, funerals, functions, fairs, festivals, and church revivals. In her early years, Betty was a regular performer on “The Farmer Jim Neal” television show. She was at her happiest singing harmonies with “Betsy and Barbie.”

Betty’s favorite pastime was fishing. Mrs. Betty was known to be able to catch fish with a blade of grass. She also loved traveling to watch her son play college football.

Some of Betty’s greatest joys in recent years came from the additions of her grandchildren, Hal Herrington (Kristin), Hannah Clark (Stephen), Kendall Hood (Linsey), Kyle Hood (Whitney), Cade Hood (Meredith), Camille Hood, Victoria Walker (Chris), Charlie Melton (Tiffany), and Chelsey Dunn. She experienced pure joy with the births of her 14 great-grandchildren.

Betty was predeceased by her mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. J. Lloyd Freeny, her husband Mims Herrington, sisters Gladys Lowe, Lois Caldwell, Myrtle Kinton, Melba Sanders, and brothers, Winnard Wayne Freeny and Guion Roby Freeny.

Along with the aforementioned children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Betty is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom she adored. The family would like to thank Betty’s special friend and faithful caregiver, Elsie Hughes.

Visitation will be held at Eastside Baptist Church in Pearl, Mississippi, on Thursday, April 20, 2023, from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm. The funeral service will begin at 2:00 pm followed by burial at Floral Hills cemetery in Pearl, Mississippi. Baldwin-Lee in Pearl, Mississippi, is in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers will be grandsons: Hal Herrington, Kendall Hood, Kyle Hood, Cade Hood, Steven Clark, and Chris Walker.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Children’s of Mississippi Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi.