March 14, 2025, 96, Goldsboro —
April 30, 1928 – March 14, 2025
Annie Ruth Sutton Herring, 96, was received into her heavenly home prepared by her loving Master and Lord on March 14, 2025. Alongside her Savior, Jesus Christ, she was welcomed home by her husband of seventy-four years, James Harold Herring, Sr., her parents, Preston and Pearl Sutton; brother, Sherwood Sutton; sister; Ellen Mae Sutton Smith; sister, Hattie Pearl Sutton Isler; brother, James Ivey Sutton; and a host of those who were brought to faith through the loving support, encouragement, and prayers of Annie Ruth. Born on April 30, 1928, Annie Ruth grew up in the community of Bucklesberry, graduating from La Grange High School.
“Ms. Annie Ruth” was known as a strong Christian, a loving wife, a great mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, an excellent Bible teacher to both young and old, witness for her Lord with every breath she took, counselor to those who sought her spiritual advice, a devoted friend, and one amazing woman of God.
On October 18, 1946, she married James Harold Herring, Sr. and they were married for seventy-four years. They had one son, James Harold Herring, Jr.
During the early years of their marriage, Harold Sr. and Annie Ruth worked as sharecroppers. For their first years, they lived in a home with no electricity and running water.
For several years, they collected scrap metal to earn money to make a down payment on a grocery store and service station in La Grange. After a few years, they added a drive-in grill which became a big hit with customers coming from surrounding counties. They once ran an ad in the La Grange Gazette promoting their fried chicken which read, “if the Colonel made chicken like ours, he would have been a General instead of a Colonel.”
For a season, they owned and operated a Western Auto Store in downtown La Grange. They later closed the grocery store and gas station, moving the Western Auto into that facility. Some years later, when Western Auto went out of business, they transformed the space into a popular restaurant. They operated their restaurant until Harold had a five-way bypass. The restaurant was sold and is known as Murray’s.
Ms. Annie Ruth and Mr. Harold were active members and leaders of the First Free Will Baptist Church in La Grange. Through the years, Ms. Annie Ruth was a Sunday School teacher for adults and teenagers. She was very active in the Sunbeams and the Women’s Circle having the young women name theirs The Annie Herring Circle. For several years, she had a weekly meeting teaching area school teachers the Word of God.
For eleven years, every Tuesday she would drive to Free Gospel Church in the Shine Community to teach about 30 women and a few men how to have a deeper walk with the Lord. In her later years when she was more bound to her home and less able to get out, many who loved her visited often to offer their encouragement and prayers. As expected, they left feeling much more encouraged themselves through the expression of love and faith constantly exhibited through Ms. Annie Ruth. There are so many heart-warming stories from the people she taught and to whom she witnessed, but there’s no recounting all the testimonies.
Ms. Annie Ruth and Mr. Harold were known for holding hands everywhere they went. They actively visited in hospitals, nursing homes, other medical facilities, and private homes to talk about Jesus.
Now…Ms. Annie Ruth and Mr. Harold get to talk personally with Jesus and visit with the hundreds, if not thousands of people whose lives they have changed.
A service of love and remembrance will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at La Grange First Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. Ronnie Hobgood and Pastor Harold Herring, Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends in the church’s Family Life Center prior to the service, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
A private committal will be held at Fairview Cemetery in La Grange.
Ms. Annie Ruth is survived by her son, James Harold Herring, Jr. and wife, Bev; grandchildren, James “Jamie” Frederick Herring, of Fort Worth, TX, Pastor Abigail Ruthanne Prejean and husband, Dr. Chris, of Fort Worth, TX; Alexandra Dorotheanne Herring, of Seattle, Washington, and Pastor James “Jim” Harold Herring, III and wife, Samantha, of TX; and great-grandchildren, Annabelle & Andrew Herring; Sophia, Symphony, and Georgie PreJean.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Ms. Annie Ruth’s memory to La Grange First Free Will Baptist Church, 802 S. Caswell Street, La Grange, NC 28551.
Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.
