Annie Herring

Annie Lee Brown Herring, 98, died Thursday, July 30, in Kerrville, Texas, at a local care facility after a lengthy illness. \r\n \r\nShe was born June 24, 1917 to John Francis and Claudie Hill Brown in Santa Anna, Texas. \r\n \r\nShe was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Santa Anna, Texas, and lived a life of faith and prayer, and was instrumental in the founding of the Lakeview Baptist Church in San Angelo, Texas, where she was a charter member. While there, she served as Sunday School superintendent, and worked with young people and children in her church.\r\n \r\nShe graduated from the Santa Anna High School, where she was a cheerleader. Her stories of her childhood and teenage years during the Great Depression informed many generations of her family.\r\n \r\nAnnie Lee married Granville Fletcher Herring on July 17, 1935, in Coleman, Texas, soon after graduating from high school. They had three children: Joe Ray Herring, Jean Ann Herring Williamson, and Jerry Lee Herring. \r\n \r\nThe couple moved to San Angelo in 1941, and together they operated a drilling company. Later, Annie Lee worked at the local credit bureau, helping to install the area's first computer system. She also worked many years at the San Angelo JCPenney store, where she was an excellent salesperson.\r\n \r\nAnnie Lee loved to sew and for years made all of her children's clothes. She also made doll's clothes, and later was a part of a quilting circle, making quilts which are cherished heirlooms in her family's homes.\r\n \r\nShe was also an accomplished artist whose work was sold to families from all over the world. She entered many art shows at San Angelo's Coliseum, winning many awards, including best of show.\r\n \r\nIn 2000, Annie Lee moved to Kerrville, to be nearer her family, living on Lemos Street in a little house between her daughter's inn and Mosty's Garage. There she enjoyed frequent visits from her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.\r\n \r\nIn 2012, she moved to Riverhills Health and Rehabilitation Center in Kerrville. The staff there was amazing, and she loved them like family.\r\n \r\nAnnie Lee was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Claudie Brown; by her loving husband, Granville Fletcher Herring; by all of her siblings, Charles Brown and his wife Bill; James and Billie Earl Brown; Billy Frank and Billie Brown; and by two siblings who did not survive childhood, Carroll and Frances Brown. She was also preceded in death by her two sons, Joe Ray Herring and Jerry Lee Herring.\r\n \r\nFor many years, these siblings held a family reunion, where Annie Lee was the matriarch of the family. She was the last surviving member of that generation.\r\n \r\nShe is survived by her daughter, Jean Ann Herring Williamson, and her husband, Ron; by her daughter-in-law, Patsy Herring; by her grandchildren, Joe Herring Jr. and his wife Carolyn; Carla Smith, and her husband Olie; Terri Van Kirk and Chris Edwards; Judy Herring Alexander; Jim Herring and wife, Missy; Jason Herring and wife, Lisa; and Joel Herring. She is also survived by 17 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her nephew, Don Brown, and his wife, Nita Brown. Nita Brown traveled daily to Annie's room at the nursing home to help with her noon meal, a blessing the whole family wants to acknowledge with thanks and gratitude.\r\n \r\nFuneral services will be held at 8 am, August 5th at Sunrise Baptist Church. Graveside services will follow that same day at 12:00 noon at Lawnhaven Cemetery in San Angelo, Texas. There will be a family visitation from 5-7 pm on August 4th at Grimes Funeral Chapels, Kerrville.\r\n \r\n[contact-form-7 id="73" title="Send Condolences"]