Ann Herring

On October 31, 2018, Ann Owens Herring, devoted mother, grandmother and wife, passed away peacefully at her home in Carrollton, Texas, at the age of 80.

Ann was born in Lake City, Arkansas on July 17, 1938, to Paul and Madeline Owens. She graduated from Lake City High School before earning her degree in music education at Baylor University in 1960. After graduating from Baylor, Ann married the love of her life, William Herring, and the two began married life in Little Rock, Arkansas, where Bill attended The University of Arkansas Medical School. While Bill was in medical school, Ann taught elementary school in the Little Rock public school system. After medical school and a tour overseas on the island of Crete where Bill served in the United States Air Force, the couple settled in Memphis, where Ann worked in the music ministry at Bellevue Baptist Church. In 1970, the couple was blessed with their cherished daughter, Elizabeth Ann.

In 1973, Ann began working in the music ministry at Germantown Baptist Church, a church that would become a second home to her and her family and the place where she came to know many of her dearest, life-long friends. Her career there would span more than 35 years, during which she would serve as the church pianist, organist, children’s choir director, and director of The Hallelujah Chorus. In later years, after retirement, the couple moved to Texas to live near their daughter and her family.

Ann is survived by her husband, Bill, her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Sappington, her son-in-law, Bryn Sappington, and her beloved granddaughter, Madeline Sappington. A memorial service will be held at Germantown Baptist Church at 10 a.m. on November 6th, followed by a graveside service at Jonesboro Memorial Park in Jonesboro, Arkansas, later that same day.