Fannie Ann Ellis Johnson Witt realized the promises of her faith and met her Creator on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 from Pontotoc Health and Rehab where she had briefly resided. “Miss” Ann was 87 years old. Born on Feb. 9, 1937 in Smithville to the late Fletcher Ellis and Kay Thorn Ellis Brown, she lived all her life in this area. A wonderfully sweet and kind lady, Ann was a great provider all her life. Not fearful of work, she spent a lifetime working in area factories primarily in the field of warehousing/distribution. She retired after many years at Hancock Fabrics. Totally devoted to her family, she was a great mother and Mamaw. Ann was a master cook, famous for her “all homemade” banana pudding. She loved her dogs and cats and conversing with family and friends. She was a longtime member of the Smithville Church of Christ but, in later years, attended the Baptist Church until her health failed. Ann loved life, lived it fully, and is now secure in the arms of her Lord, reunited with loved ones gone before.
A service celebrating her life will be held at 11 AM Friday, October 11, 2024 from the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with her grandson, Bro. John Barnett, and Bro. Terry Faulkner officiating. Burial will follow in Andrews Chapel Cemetery south of Mooreville. Visitation will be from 5 PM-7 PM Thursday and from 10 AM-service time on Friday, all at Holland-Tupelo Chapel, which is honored to be serving their friends. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming at 11 AM Friday.
Mamaw is survived by her children, Sharron Westmoreland and husband, Dwayne of Longview, and Gene Johnson and wife, Kathy of Toccopola; her 6 grandchildren, Jason Franks, Justin Franks (Tifphanie), Deanna Franks (Dwayne), Vanessa McCoy (Greg), John Barnett (Angel) and Belen Johnson (Cherokee); 12 great-grandchildren, Weston, Rhylee, Millie, Ally Brooks, Hudson, Nela, Liam, Petra, Brayden, Bronson, Johnson, and Story; a sister, Sandra Barton of Pontotoc; several nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Herman Johnson; her second husband, Charles Witt; a daughter, Janis Franks; a son-in-law, Mike Franks; a great granddaughter, Paris Franks; and a brother, Herman Brown.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
