Services for Mildred Elene Ritchie Hutson of Wesson are 2 p.m.,Monday, Jan. 26, at Sylvarena Baptist Church with burial in thechurch cemetery. Harrigill Funeral Home is in charge ofarrangements.

Visitation is Sunday from 5-9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mrs. Hutson, 85, died Jan. 23, 2004, at St. Dominic Hospital inJackson. She was born in McComb on July 31, 1918, to Eli Ritchieand Jessie L. Brister Ritchie.

She was a teacher in the Hazlehurst School System. She wasretired from the Potter Company in 1981. She became the librarianfor the Wesson Library in 1985. She was an active member of theSisterhood to Ladies Woodman Circle of McComb, Wesson Chamber ofCommerce, Beauregard Homemakers Club, a charter member of theWesson Friends of the Library, and a member of Sylvarena WMU. Sheattended school at East McComb Elementary, Ruth High School andWhitworth College.

Mrs. Hutson received many honors throughout her life.Mississippi State University recognized her for her achievements inwriting a short story titled “Time Has No Limit” and for shortstories written on Copiah County and the library system historicaldocuments. She contributed to the writings of Wesson IndustrialCity of the South; co-authored History of MississippiCotton Mills and The Sanders Magnolia Village. Shewrote and published a cookbook in 2002 titled Okra. Shereceived the Ageless Heroes Award for being an inspirational figureto others from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi; and receivedthe Wesson Chamber Community Service Award. She was an avidgenealogist. Her hobbies were collecting dolls and teapots. She wasknown for her oil paintings and playing the piano. She was a memberof Sylvarena Baptist Church and was recognized by the church in2003 for her contributions to the church and community.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, WilmerCurtis Hutson; her sister, Nell Ritchie Hart; two brothers, Paul B.Ritchie and Durell Ritchie; and a grandson, Jim Lowery.

Survivors are her daughters and sons-in-law, Joy and JerryWesbrooks, Shirley and Caroll Hennington, and Marilyn and CliffordBritt, all of Wesson, Gloria and J.C. Millwood of Brandon, Rita andChuck Fuller of Star, Ginene and Ronny Walker and Dixie and BobbyThornton, all of Florence; her sons and daughters-in-law, WilmerBuddy Hutson and Sandy of Monroe, La., Carroll Hutson and Louise,and Randy and Jan Hutson, all of Wesson; her brother, JewellRitchie and wife Ann of Atlanta, Ga.; 25 grandchildren; 23great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a host ofnieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Dale Lowery, Danny Lowery, Tracy Hutson,Mann Hutson, David Hennington, Hillry Britt, Van Britt, Brad Walkerand Curt Jefferies.