Ann Ratterree Herlong

Ann Ratterree Herlong of Rock Hill, SC died Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Rock Hill. She was born on December 10, 1929 in Rock Hill, the daughter of Augustus Erwin Ratterree and Annie Kate Jordan Ratterree.
She grew up in Rock Hill, SC, and graduated high School from Winthrop Training School and graduated from Converse College in 1952.
She was a devoted and lifelong member of Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, where for 30 years she played hymns for the Thursday Morning Bible Study that her lifelong friend and teacher Feeny Galloway led. Ann was a founding member of the Rock Hill Debutant Club and a member of the Jr. League of Rock Hill.
Ann's lifelong passion was performing on the piano. Her mother was a piano teacher at Winthrop College and passed her talent to her daughter. Ann was a piano major at Converse and also studied at Juilliard School of Music in New York. After having her 5 children in the 1950's, she began to perform again in 1964 and had numerous recitals over the next few decades. Her crowning accomplishment was at the age of 74, when she entered the Van Cliburn International Amateur competition with pianists from all over the world and came in third place. (Her performance on three pieces can be seen on YouTube.) She also taught hundreds of children piano over her lifetime and cherished the many friendships she developed with many of them over the years.
Ann was married to Douglas Perry Herlong for 45 years until his death in 1997. She is survived by her daughter, Georgia Herlong Howey (Julian); son, James Augustus Herlong (Meekin) and daughter, Sara Everett (Sally) Herlong (Karen); grandchildren, Spratt Howey (Kristen), Gus Herlong (Charlotte), Will Howey, and Anne Herlong; and great grandchildren, Harper Ann Howey, Mary Louise Herlong and Weston Howey. She was predeceased by her son, Douglas Perry Herlong, Jr and daughter, Anna Kate Herlong.
Ann was fiercely loyal to her family and friends, having an incredible gift of hospitality to so many around Rock Hill. We want to thank all those who came to see her faithfully for the past several years, the staff at Westminster Towers and particularly to our devoted friend Howard Kellett, who has for many years helped and supported our mother in so many ways.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 19th at 2:00 p.m. at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, 421 Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill, SC 29730. The family will receive friends after the service. A private burial will precede the service.
Memorials may be made to Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, Winthrop University School of Music, Converse College School of Music or the charity of one's choice.
Condolences may be made to the Herlong family at www.greenefuneralhome.net.