Robert Ramsey Herrington, Jr.Columbia, MSFuneral services for Mr. Robert Ramsey Herrington, Jr. aged 89 of Columbia, will be Monday, March 6, 2017 at 11:00am at First Baptist Church of Columbia where friends may visit from 10:00am until service time. Visitation will be Sunday, March 5, 2017 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at Colonial Funeral Home, 323 Second St in Columbia. Dr. Bryant Barnes, Rev. Thomas Thurman, and Rev. Jim Shoemake will officiate at the services. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Thomas Herrington, Ramsey Herrington, John Thompson, David Ishee, Allen Boutwell, Paul Broom, Allen Knight, and Jerry Molaison. Honorary pallbearers will be the Adult Men's 7 Sunday School Class of FBC Columbia. On March 1, 2017, Robert Ramsey Herrington, Jr. entered the realms of Glory to be face to face with his Lord and Savior whom he loved and served as he walked here. Our sorrow at his departure was tempered and healed by the knowledge that his transition was to a place of peace and perfection in the eternal home of the perfect Author of peace and healing. He was born on Oct 24, 1927 in Hattiesburg, MS to Robert R. Herrington, Sr. and Ethel Pace Herrington. Most of his childhood was spent on the family farm and homes in the Forrest and Lamar county area until they moved to 1506 North Main Street in Hattiesburg, MS in the late 1930's. He had two great loves in his life above all others: his Lord Jesus, to whom he committed himself and was baptized in 1945 at Main Street Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, MS, and to Annie Ruth "Ann" Sitts, whom he met when they were freshmen at Mississippi Southern College in the fall of 1945 when Ann had just turned 17 and he was 18. They were married on March 14, 1949 in the home of Walter Arthur Sitts and Ruth Patrick Sitts, Ann's parents, in Hazlehurst, MS. His devotion to both was absolute and unwavering; he served as Sunday School teacher, director of Sunday School and Church Training, and was a deacon at the churches the family attended. He was included as a deacon and also a Deacon Emeritus at First Baptist Church, Columbia, MS. He has stood tirelessly and compassionately at the side of his bride for just short of 68 years and this was never more true than in the past nine years as she struggled with many health issues. Until his bride was confined to bed two years ago, the image of the two of them walking together and holding hands was the one you would see. He found his calling as a teacher, working and going to school for years with his undergraduate, master's degrees, and doctoral work completed at the now-named University of Southern Mississippi. He taught in several school districts until he became head of the science department at the Jackson County branch of the Gulf Coast Community College. He and Ann served as teacher-counselors and it was rare to go anywhere with them that someone would not recognize them and speak to them, thanking them for both the academic and life instruction they had received under their care. They moved to Columbia after their retirement and have lived since 1990 and were active in many church and civic activities. He served for many years as president of the Hospital Auxiliary and food pantry, was active in the retired teacher association and was very active in the homebound and nursing home ministries of FBC, Columbia. A number of years ago they were honored as co-citizens of the year by the Junior Auxiliary for their service to our community. He was involved in the lives of individuals and made many people feel loved. He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife, Ann, and two sons, Robert R. Herrington, III (Mary) and Walter Nathan Herrington (Camille), grandchildren: Robert R. Herrington IV (Heather), Thomas Matthew Herrington (Marni), Rebecca Anne (John) Thompson, and Paula Marie (David) Ishee, eight great-grandchildren: Carter, Bryson, Dahlia, Zinnia, and Iris Herrington, Avery Marie Thompson, and Persephonie and Sebastien Ishee, as well his brother Charles Ray (Glenda) Herrington and sister, Lola Jane (Jim) Shoemake, and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins. His home and heart were open and welcoming to all he encountered. He never lost his sense of wonder and fascination with life and God's created world. Even at the end, his hospital bed was filled with science journals, seed and plant catalogs, books of all sorts and innumerable plans for the coming months and years. He also never faltered in his love and service for God. He and Ann visited in many homes as well as nursing homes for years, sharing hope and encouragement with their presence and with flowers, candy, and church literature. He was a man of steadfast faith and love. He will be missed but the many pleasant memories he has created will enrich and pleasure fill those who remain.In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to FBC Columbia building fund or to the church of your choice. View and sign register book at www.colonialfuneralhomes-ms.com