Lila Ann Smith Herren

Lila Ann Smith Herren, 77, a lifelong member of the Oxford community passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

All of those she loved and touched deeply, please join us celebrating her life. The funeral will be Friday April 14, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church of Oxford with Dr. Robert Allen officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 12:00 noon at the church. Inurnment will follow in Oxford Columbarium.

Lila was born in Oxford, MS on May 11, 1945, to her loving parents, the late Huston and Celia May Queen Smith. A 1963 graduate of Oxford University High School Lila attended Ole Miss majoring in Theater. Lila was a member of First Baptist Church of Oxford, always serving in whatever capacity she could. She and Tim Phillips taught Sunday school together for over 20 years and Lila lent her beautiful voice to the choir. She was a member of the Ole Miss Concert Singers and participated in numerous theater productions over the years.

Lila loved to love people and her charismatic personality led to a career where she devoted 42 years of service to Baptist Healthcare Systems, starting at Baptist Corporate Headquarters in Memphis and then continuing her service as Director of Patient Guest and Volunteer Services at Baptist North MS Hospital in Oxford for 32 years. Lila had a true servant’s heart. Her grace, kindness, and spiritual strength was always present through her ministry of helping others. Her warm, gentle smile and calming presence comforted countless patients and family members through some of their darkest days. She always did her best to make sure someone else had a reason to smile. Her compassion was evident by her willingness to go above and beyond for Baptist North Mississippi, its patients, families and her colleagues. Lila was the heart of Baptist, and her legacy will forever live on at Baptist North Mississippi.

Lila, a loving and devoted daughter, sister, mother, and aunt is survived by her sister Anita Myrl Smith McGehee; three children, John Huston Herren (Liz) and granddaughter, Callie, Melissa Ann Herren Carpenter, and Laura Beth Ann Herren; niece, Raina McClure (Jim); nephew, Drew McGehee (Joanne); four great niece and nephews Jack & JR McClure and Houston & Maren McGehee.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Lila’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231.