Anne Marie Laterza Terracina

Funeral mass for Anne Marie Laterza Terracina, 88, of Greenville will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 5, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The family will receive visitors at 10:00 a.m. in the church followed by a rosary said in honor of Anne beginning at 10:30 a.m. The graveside service to follow will be at Greenville Cemetery under the direction of Boone Funeral Home and officiated by Rev. Fr. Aaron M. Williams.

“Family above self” describes Anne best. To everyone that knew her, she was Mama Anne. Mama Anne was the ultimate mother, grandmother, wife, and caregiver. She nurtured her friends and family through listening, cooking, and her endless love.

Anne was born June 19, 1933, and she was the daughter of Italian immigrants, Margaret and Dominic Laterza. Anne was born in Chicago, Illinois and graduated from Austin High School, where she met the love of her life, Frank, at age 14. Frank often lovingly referred to Anne as his Queen. Anne was a distinguished prima ballerina, traveling the United States and Canada. Anne and Frank built a wonderful life focused on family and faith first. Anne and Frank have been together for 74 years and celebrated their 67th anniversary this year. Together, Anne and Frank, are devoted to St. Joseph Catholic Church, attending daily mass for decades and adoration weekly.

Anne was not only devoted to her family, but she also had a very close-knit group of friends, “The Card Ladies.” Over six decades, Virgie, Sara T, Mary Catherine, Ruby, Edna, Pal, Joyce, Dot, Etta, and Sara S met weekly to play a high stakes game of cards, betting a quarter a hand.

Anne’s other talents included bringing her family and friends together through food. Her most coveted recipes included a top-secret cheesecake and homemade ravioli that her family would enjoy on holidays. During the holidays, if you were lucky enough, you received Anne and Frank’s handmade Italian sausage.

Anne had a particular talent for numbers, never missing anyone’s birthday or anniversary. She could tell you the price of anything at any of the grocery stores in the Mississippi Delta.

Anne is survived by her husband Frank Anthony Terracina, Sr. and her children Steve Terracina (Margaret) of Greenville, Mississippi, Tina Morris (Don) of Greenville, Lisa Johnson (Buster) of Greensboro, North Carolina, Joseph Terracina (Donna) of Greenville, Anthony Terracina (Kelly) of Williamsburg, Virginia, and Frank Terracina (Nickie) of Villa Rica, Georgia. She has 16 grandchildren—Steven Terracina, Michelle Terracina, Christopher Morris, Anthony Morris, Anna Bosworth, Mitchell Johnson, Austin Johnson, Nicholas Johnson, Olivia Johnson, Joseph Terracina, Jr., Katherine Anne Nicholson, Maria Terracina, Abbey Terracina, Anna Terracina, Frankie Terracina, and Story Terracina.

The family would like to offer special thanks to all of the physicians and nurses who showed great compassion and the wonderful caregivers in their home — Mickie, Shanette, Gail, and Judy.

Memorials may be made in Anne’s memory to St. Joseph Catholic Church or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.