Fanelle Ryan

October 18, 1940 – April 5, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and wife, Fanelle Ryan, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 5th, 2025 at 4:26 p.m. after fighting a brave battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in her final moments.

Born Fanelle Hilton on October 18, 1940, Fanelle's life was marked by remarkable strength and resilience. As a young girl, she survived polio, and as an adult, she courageously fought breast cancer twice, each time emerging victorious. She was a survivor in every sense of the word, and her strength and spirit were an inspiration to all who knew her.

Fanelle graduated salutatorian from Bentonia High School in 1958. During her high school years, Fanelle met the love of her life, Willard Ryan, and they were married on August 16, 1957 at Central Baptist Church in Little Yazoo, Mississippi. Together they moved to Clinton, Mississippi, in 1964, where they remained active members of Morrison Heights Baptist Church. They celebrated 67 years of marriage, building a life filled with love, faith and family.

Fanelle loved the simple joys of life—shopping, cooking, decorating and especially Christmas. She always made sure her home was filled with warmth and cheer, and her generosity knew no bounds—she was never going to let anyone go hungry. Most of all, Fanelle dedicated her life to her family. She raised her three daughters with love and care, and later, she took immense joy in helping raise her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Cornelia Hilton, her sisters Peggy Webster and Linda Burton and her son-in-law James Babb. She is survived by her devoted husband, Willard A. Ryan, her three daughters: Beverly Ryan Babb (James), Kristy Ryan Long (Mike), and Tangela Ryan Rankin; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

The family will celebrate Fanelle's life on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025, at Wright and Ferguson in Clinton, Mississippi. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service. Fanelle will then be laid to rest at Central Holmes Cemetery in Little Yazoo, Mississippi.

While Fanelle may no longer walk among us, her love, her spirit, and the memories she created with each of us will remain forever in our hearts. She was a true blessing, and her legacy of strength, love and family will continue to inspire all who knew her.