Minnie Herrington

With her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren gathered around her bedside, Minnie Lou Herrington, 104, crossed over Jordan and into that beautiful land of the unclouded days where she'll never grow old and where she will have a great reunion with all those loved ones who went before her. Mrs. Herrington died after a short illness on Friday, April 13, 2007 at the Hospice HomePlace in Tyler. Services for Minnie Herrington, Tyler, will be held on Monday, April 16, 2007 at 2 pm at Arp Emmanuel Baptist Church with Dr. Ron Klingsick and Dr. Paul Powell officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mrs. Herrington raised seven children on the Herrington farm near Arp. Life was a happy time growing up on the farm with a loving mother and father. She used to say she wished every child in the world could grow up on a farm. Early in life, Mrs. Herrington talked about a heavenly Father who loved and cared for all of us. Her early morning hours were spent reading her Bible and praying. Her words of wisdom for her children were sometimes enforced with the stern warning, "I will tell your father," and that was all it took. Through the years, all of her children grandchildren and great-grandchildren were rocked in that old rocking chair at her home, on her lap. Some, even after they grew up, loved to sit with her in the rocking chair. She saw two of children and four nephews go off to World War II. She had two other sons who served in the cold war. Her prayers were answered because they all came home safe. Her home was a happy home and her kitchen was always open to any who came by on Sunday afternoons. Friends and neighbors came by often for coffee and cookies and talked and laughed about days gone by. Mrs. Herrington loved to travel and visited many places including Europe, where she visited France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Norway and Sweden. She loved going on cruises and one of her favorite travel experiences was a Christmas cruise on the SS Norway to St. John and St. Thomas Islands with many of her family on board. She also loved the mountains in Idaho and spent many happy hours in Sun Valley, Vail and Golden, Colorado. She went every year to Bay Springs, Mississippi, where she was born, for her family reunions. She loved spending time on the beaches of South Padre Island. She once lived in Roswell, New Mexico and loved going back there to visit old friends. Mrs. Herrington was a charter member of Arp Emmanuel Baptist Church and served as President of the TEL Sunday School class for many years. Mrs. Herrington is preceded in death by her husband, Bill Herrington; son, Charles E. Herrington; grandson, Bruce Herrington; and granddaughter, Pennie Milliff. Mrs. Herrington is survived by her children, Jean Lancaster of Big Springs, Louise and Joseph Ornealas of Tyler, Al and Gerry Ann Herrington of Arp, Ellen and Jim Thurman of Arp, Ann Kimrey of Tyler, Bill and Peggy Herrington of Tyler, and Sue Herrington of Tyler; 13 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 30 great-great-grandchildren and one great-great great-grandchild. Special caregivers were Betty Baily, Aretha Jackson, Valerie Shackelford, Shonda Melton, Felita Arthur, Freddie Simpson and Tonya Ravon. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Rick Rogers, Steve Lancaster, Greg Kimrey, Mark Renfro, Bill E. Herrington, Randy Rogers, Rusty Rogers, Bobby Herrington and David H. Herrington. Honorary pallbearers will be great-grandsons, Brandon Richmond, Destry Cragan, Jason Trimble, Matthew Trimble, Chuck Herrington, David Herrington, Ricky Paul Herrington, Todd Lancaster, Lucas Marsh, Conner Wangner, David Wangner, Jackson Wangner, Richard Rogers, Ryan Rogers, Austin Rogers, Logan Renfro and Grant Herrington. The family wishes to thank Dr. Stephen Keuer, Dr. David Fletcher, and Dr. Bob Rossman, along with the doctors and nurses at Hospice HomePlace. They would also like to thank Minnie's special friend, Bobbie Dance. Visitation will be from 6 - 8 pm on Sunday, April, 15, 2007 at Stewart Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please make donation to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701. For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com.

Minnie Herrington

June 27, 1903 - April 13, 2007