Velma Diane "Tooty" Herring

Velma Diane "Tooty" Herring, 74, passed away peacefully on 6/24/2024 at Battle Mountain General Hospital after her long battle with Amyloidosis. A memorial service will be held in her honor at Morton United Methodist Church on July 12, 2024, at 3:00PM, with visitation starting at 2:00PM. A celebration of life will be held after the memorial service in the Fellowship Hall, that is open to all that would like to attend.

Tooty was born in Morton MS on September 20, 1949. In 1976 she was one of the first women to be commissioned into the MS Army National Guard. She served in the Army Public Affairs for 15 years and served in the Selective Service following that post. Making the rank of Captain, she proudly served her country for 19 years.

Along with her service, Tooty retired from the MS State Department of Health as the Director of Childcare Licensing. After retirement, Tooty continued to serve her community of Morton as photographer and columnist of the Spirit of Morton, as store associate, food distribution contributor, and outreach resource for We-Care. Tooty also taught as a tutor, fund-raising resource, and outreach facilitator for the Excel Learning Center. She was a Friend of the Library, and Friend of the Park as a fund-raising contributor.

Tooty was very involved in the Morton United Methodist Church, and she served at the Annual Conference as a representative of the church. Tooty had a strong mind, was extremely smart, and had an opinion on most all things. She willingly gave her opinion and was happy to debate anyone. She was Tooty. A daughter, a sister, an aunt, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, and a friend to the end. She touched an un-measurable number of lives.

Tooty is survived by her mother, Jewel Herring; Brothers and sisters, Lynette(Jerry) Harris, Melissa(Johnny) Harrell, Gene(Lawana) Herring, Gordy(Debbie) Herring; Children, Paige(Josh) Jeffcoats and David(Pam) Stingley; Grandchildren, Ethan(Robin) Stingley, Marilyn Roberts, Seth(Kay Ellen) Jeffcoats, Conner (Melody) Stingley; Great-Granddaughter Skyler Stingley; Many nieces and nephews.

Tooty is preceded in death by her father, Reverend Howard "Slick" Herring.

The Family would like to thank the following:

Dr. Evan Ciarloni and the staff of Ochsner Health, the doctors and staff of UMMC, Beverly Freeman, Morton United Methodist Church, her in-home nurses and therapists, the staff of Battle Mountain General Hospital, Agape Hospice of Battle Mountain, Battle Mountain Missionary Baptist Church, all of the prayers that were received from everyone on Tooty's behalf.

In lieu of flowers, the Family asks that donations be made to the following foundations/organizations in Tooty's name:

Amyloidosis Foundation, https://amyloidosis.org

Morton Excel, 601-732-1800

We Care Mission of Morton, https://www.findhelp.org/morton-united-methodist-church--morton-ms--we-care-food-distribution-/4832428092948480?postal=39117