Ida Frances Prewitt Waring died peacefully May 7, 2017, at her home in Vicksburg, with her devoted daughters at her side. She was 86.

Born in Fondren, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Thomas Orien Prewitt and Mildred Lois Miner Prewitt. The deep Christian faith modeled by her parents became her own and profoundly influenced her children and succeeding generations.

She graduated in 1948 from Carr Central High School in Vicksburg and remained instrumental in coordinating regular reunion events with her beloved classmates even into recent years. She also attended Mississippi State College for Women. 

She was a lifelong member of Crawford Street United Methodist Church. Over the decades, her bountiful volunteer spirit was applied to leadership roles in the church’s seniors ministry, Bible studies, Meals on Wheels, garden clubs and frequent stints as room mother or den mother. She loved to encourage family and friends with cards, notes and phone calls, remembering the myriad of birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions by transferring all those details onto calendars from one year to the next.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, James Lawrence Waring; her sister, Dorothy Lois Prewitt; her brother, Thomas Orien Prewitt Jr.; and her devoted helper and confidant, Carrie (Callie) Whitaker.

She is survived by her brother, James Andrew (Maggie) Prewitt of Statham, Ga.; and her five children, Larry (Nancy) Waring, Sally (Johnny) Owen, Tom (Edie) Waring, Betsy (Michael) Harbaugh and Andy (Kathy) Waring; Nana had 14 grandchildren, Dr. Jay (Carly) Waring, Katie and David Waring, Sarah Owen (Mark) Wilbanks, Justin (Jennifer) Waring, Brandon (Brittany) Waring, Ryan (Beth) Waring, Dr. Angela Ethridge (Dr. Holland) Alday, Amy Ethridge (Tyler) McNeal and Kate Harbaugh (Brandon) Caine, Millie Waring (Grant) Gannon, Ashley, Callie and Jake Waring; nine great-grandchildren, John Harrison Wilbanks, Jackson and Lucy Waring, Madelyn, Farrah and Elijah McNeal, Martha Barrett Alday, Holloway Caine and Eliza Gannon.

She had wonderfully close relationships with her dear sisters-in-law, Lee Waring, Mary Frances Denton, Laura Waring and Nancy Redmond.

This beloved family is her enduring legacy. She loved God and became increasingly intimate with Him as the years went by. She prayed diligently. She adored Jimmy, her husband and love of her life for 64 years, with whom she danced and is dancing once again.

They made regular getaways a priority to nourish their marriage. An example of their loyalty in their latter years together is Jimmy’s frequent habit of saying, “Where’s Ida?” when he became aware she was not close by, and her frequent refrain “Here I am, Jimmy!”

Nana excelled in creating memories cherished by her children and their children. She ensured family vacations were supplied with all manner of food, utensils, toys, games and first aid treatments. She made all birthdays special, but her most favorite occasion was Christmas when her creative decorating and lavish generosity were on display.

The special warmth, love and pride that she clearly held for her children was extended also to the friends of her children whom she nurtured as her own, like Larry Kerr, Sib Turner, and Brett Kirkman to name a few. A welcoming atmosphere was always present in her home. She was a kind, interested listener and relished updates about the lives of her loved ones.

She was a completely Southern lady, full of charm and grace.

The family would like to extend special gratitude for the tender care given as her health waned over the past several years by Alaka (Lucy) Freeman, Tina Qualls, Camellia Hospice and Dr. Bill Pierce. 

Services will be on Thursday, May 11, 2017, at Crawford Street United Methodist Church with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. in the Sanctuary and a celebration of her life at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Cary Stockett officiating, followed by interment at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons and the spouses of her granddaughters.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crawford Street United Methodist Church, 900 Crawford Street, Vicksburg, MS, 39180.