Ann “Annie Ruth” Sitts Herrington
89, Columbia
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, at First Baptist Church for Ann “Annie Ruth” Sitts Herrington, of Columbia, who was released from the mortal chains that had bound her for so long and entered the presence of her Lord and Savior Christ Jesus on Thursday, Sept. 27 at 5:40 a.m. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery. Dr. Bryant Barnes, Rev. Thomas Thurman and Rev. James Shoemake officiated at the services. Visitation was held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30 at Colonial Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until the time of the services on Monday, Oct. 1 at Colonial Funeral Home.
She was the younger daughter of Walter Arthur Sitts and Ruth Patrick Sitts of Hazlehurst 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’s degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and taught English Literature and German in high school. She served for years on the state textbook committee and also served as president of the state English teachers Association. Although shy and retiring by nature, she found her place of service in the classroom sharing with her students for nearly four decades.
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.
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 First Baptist Church 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.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Arthur and Ruth Patrick Sitts; sister, Mary Louise Sitts Sebren and nephew, Richard Ray Sebren III.
Survivors include her 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 and multiple cousins, nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were 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 First Baptist Church, Columbia Building Fund, 900 High School Ave., Columbia, MS 39429 or to the church or charity of your choice.
Family and friends may share memories and condolences at www.colonialfuneralhomes-ms.com.
Colonial Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
