Annie Ruth Poarch

Annie Ruth Poarch, 91, passed away on November 20, 2025. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia in Fulton County on July 24, 1934, to the late Jess and Annie Little.

Her family moved to Calhoun from College Park, Georgia in the mid-1940s, and her parents were employed by Echota Cotton Mill while the lived in Calhoun. Due to heath issues with her father, the parents and youngest brother moved to College Park, Georgia in the mid-fifties for employment with a non-textile manufacturing plant. While she lived in Calhoun, she met and married Floyd Poarch on November 12, 1949. Afterwards, they worked at Echota Cotton Mill and carpet factories until their retirement. Floyd retired from Beaulieu-USA in 1991, and Ruth retired from Beaulieu-USA in August of 1999. The highlight of her retirement was a cruise to Mexico with her daughter Misty and a group of ladies from the church.

Floyd passed away on March 12, 2008. After his death, she continued to live in the mill village and was admitted to Gordon Health and Rehab due to declining health in December of 2018. She was a faithful member of the College Street Church of God and a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker. Just as mothers in the mill village era, she reared her children in the close-knit environment of the mill village and worked a full-time mill job on second shift to help support the family financially, too. She was a loving mother who made sacrifices and was devoted to her children.

She enjoyed cooking and prepared daily meals for the family. Her cooking skills and recipes were well-known within the extended family. The daily meals, Sunday meals, and those special Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners that she prepared were enjoyed by friends and guests, too. Her nephew proclaimed, “You make the best breakfast that I have ever eaten.” Jimmy loved her breakfast of homemade biscuit, eggs, sausage, grits, and gravy. She always invited him to her house for meals during his visits from Michigan.

She was the last living member of her family, and with her passing, the Little family circle is complete. Preceding her were: four brothers, and two sisters: parents were the late Jess and Annie Little of Duluth, GA; Elmer Little and wife Elby of Calhoun, GA; Robert Little (Bob) of Duluth, GA; Charles Clifton Little and wife Ruby of Lilburn, GA; sisters, Essie Little McFarland and husband Howard of Duluth, GA; Nellie Mae Little of College Park, GA died on June 6, 1927.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Charles Poarch and Barbara of Calhoun, GA; daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia Poarch Stone and Rickey of Calhoun, GA; Judy Elizabeth Poarch Keasler and Hans of Trussville, AL; Misty Poarch Dutton of Calhoun GA; eight grandchildren, Shelly Poarch Hood, Connie Poarch Erwin, Josh Stone, Julie Stone Ingle, Amber Heidel Crosby, Stuart Heidel, Joe Nix, Holly Nix Price; fifteen great-grandchildren and one great-great- grandchild; sisters-in-law, Eula Little and Loretta Poarch.

On behalf of the family, I quote, “Our parents gave us love, nurturing, discipline, and we were taught high morals and strong work ethics. We were never homeless or hungry, and our parents provided our childhood needs, and they developed in us a solid foundation for life. As adults today, we know the importance of showing love, patience, respect to others, and to praise God for His grace. We will miss their presence and forever cherish the love they gave us as children and as adults. Sadly, we will never see our parents or hear their voice again on this Earth, but those wonderful memories of them will stay with us until we join them on the other side.”

The family will receive friends on Monday, November 24, 2025, from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM at College Street Church of God.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 3:00 PM from College Street Church of God with Rev. Dwayne Smith and Rev. Joey Henderson officiating. Burial will follow in Crane Eater Cemetery. Pallbearers serving are Collin Baggett, Holly Price, Josh Price, Lucus Martin, Wyatt Price, Josh Stone, Gannon Hood, and Cody Erwin. Honorary pallbearers are Steve Poarch, Tony Gentry, Sammy Poarch, Jack “Junior” Poarch, Rickey Stone, and Hans Keasler.

The family would like to acknowledge Gordon Health & Rehabilitation for caring for and loving Mrs. Poarch during her time as a resident there. They are eternally grateful for your services.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Annie Ruth Poarch.