Ann (Annie Ruth) Sitts Herrington of Columbia, MS was released from the mortal chains that had bound her for so long and entered the presence of her Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 5:40 a.m. She had recently celebrated her 89th birthday and had struggled for over a decade with significant health issues, being bed bound for nearly five years but now stands complete in the joy and healing of her Redeemer.
She was the younger daughter of Walter Arthur Sitts and Ruth Patrick Sitts of Hazlehurst, MS and was the beloved bride of Robert R. Herrington, Jr., whom she met as a freshman at the now University of Southern Mississippi. She was the mother of two sons, two daughters-in-law, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She taught for many years in the Harrisville, Crystal Springs, North Forrest (where she was star teacher),and Pascagoula (where she was the Head of the English Department) school systems and ended her career teaching and tutoring at the Jackson County branch of the Gulf Coast Community College. She obtained both her undergraduate and master degrees from USM and taught English Literature and German in high school. She served for years on the state textbook book committee and also served as president of the state English teachers of Association. Although shy and retiring by nature she found her place of service in the classroom sharing with her students for nearly four decades.
As with many of the ladies of the rural south, she used her creative gifts around the home and was almost a magician in the kitchen. Our mother overcame many obstacles in her life, never defeated by a closed door or different circumstances in her pursuit of a dream of teaching and serving others and was active in her church in the communities where she lived, most recently serving in the children's department at FBC, Columbia, MS until her health prevented her participation.
Her home was marked by laughter, love and support. The family learned much from the parents including the love of God and His Church, respect for all and the value of work and service. If one were to describe Ann and Robert's home as a garden, her husband was the trellis, strong and secure and supporting, as Ann was the tender, sweet rose that shared her fragrance of love to all who were around her. As the couple embraced one another for nearly 68 years of marriage, it was rare to even see one without the other as they defined themselves as one.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Arthur and Ruth Patrick Sitts; her sister, Mary Louise Sitts Sebren; and nephew, Richard Ray Sebren, III. She leaves behind two sons, Robert Ramsey Herrington, III (Mary), and Walter Nathan Herrington (Camille); four grandchildren, R. Ramsey Herrington, IV (Heather), Thomas Matthew Herrington (Marni), Rebecca Ann Herrington Thompson (John), and Paula Marie Herrington Ishee (David); eight great-grandchildren, Persephone Ishee, Sebastian Ishee, Carter Herrington, Bryson Herrington, Dahlia Herrington, Zinnia Herrington, and Iris Herrington, as well as multiple cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Sunday, September 30, 2018 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at Colonial Funeral Home in Columbia. Funeral services will be Monday, October 1, 2018 at 11:00am at First Baptist Church Columbia where friends may visit from 10:00am until service time. Dr. Bryant Barnes will officiate services with Reverend Thomas Thurman, and Reverend James Shoemake assisting. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia. Those that will serve as pallbearers are Allen Boutwell, Ramsey Herrington, Thomas Herrington, David Ishee, Allen Knight, Jerry Mollison, Bruce Ratchliff, and John Thompson.
In lieu of flowers, one may send a love gift to FBC, Columbia Building Fund, 900 High School Ave Columbia, MS 39429 or to the church or charity of your choice.
