Jan. 5, 1925 – March 17, 2016

RIDGELAND — Graveside services for Pauline Wells Herring, 91, who died Thursday, March 17, 2016, will be 2 p.m. Friday at Midway Cemetery in Franklin County.

A celebration of life will follow the services at Ridge Point Ranch.

Pauline Wells Herring, a beauty on a hill in the sun, the breeze blowing her hair and rustling her skirt.

Myrtle Pauline Wells Herring was born Jan. 5, 1925, in Eddiceton, the daughter of Bennie F. Wells and Myrtle Buie Wells.

After completing high school in Franklin County and Copiah-Lincoln Community College, she attended the University of Mississippi and Draughn’s Business College. She married her high school sweetheart, Charles “Bug” Herring, and together they founded Ridge Point Ranch and raised cattle. She made pimento cheese and tuna sandwiches that Bug sold in the Grove at Ole Miss to put himself through law school. She served as Bug’s part time legal secretary. They loved to dance to the sounds of the big bands.

Bug died suddenly in a plane crash in 1969. This left Pauline with their five children to nurture and raise. Like so much of her life, she did this successfully; all five of their children received college education. She continued to build her herd of Santa Gertrudis cattle, working with some of the top genetics from the Rockefeller Petit Jean Ranch and the King Ranch of Texas. For her outstanding work, she was named Mississippi Cattleman of the Year. Included in her many accomplishments was her membership on the Mississippi ASCS Committee, named to the position by President Jimmy Carter. She developed a well deserved reputation for helping the young people in Franklin County with their livestock development. She worked with the 4-H Club and the Dixie National to promote the development of Santa Gertrudis cattle breeding in Mississippi. Ridge Point Ranch is well known for raising quality cattle.

Her daughter, Dixie Herring Clay, later assumed the responsibilities for the cattle business. Not to be idle, Pauline began a nursery business which included two well stocked greenhouses at Ridge Point Ranch & Gardens at Eddiceton. Pauline served her community as a member of the Franklin County School Board. She was a founder of the Pine Burr Garden Club and served as president; she loved to play bridge and started a bridge club in Franklin; and she was a member of the Bude United Methodist Church and assisted in establishing its new buildings. She was a member of Homochitto River Chapter and National Society DAR. Many people gathered at Ridge Point before the Bude Christmas parade to promote Lake Okhissa.

Miss Pauline was a strong woman of independent nature with a kind and sharing spirit. There was always a pot of coffee in her kitchen and a listening ear for people who wanted it. She loved to ride horses and collect agates on the Homochitto River.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Calvin B. Wells and George W. Wells; and one great-grandson, Cole Freeman.

Survivors include a family who loved her very much, Melody Maxey and husband John, Merry Pickenpaugh and husband, Robert, Howard Herring and wife, Myra, Jett Herring and wife, Esther, and Dixie Clay and husband, Mark; 10 grandchildren, John Lewis Maxey III and wife, Cynthia, Burns Maxey and husband, Matt Medeiros, Brandee Freeman and husband, Chuck, Peyton Pickenpaugh and husband, Peter Kinwood, MerryCline Coffey and husband, Patrick, Brett Herring and wife, Vista, Cliff Herring and wife, Nikki, Clint Herring, Will Clay and McRae Clay; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Santa Gertrudis Youth Foundation.