Annabelle Joan Sexton

Annabelle Joan “Ann” Sexton (née Rineer; formerly Mellott), 77, of Columbia, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 7, 2026, surrounded by what she considered her most precious gift—her family.

Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Bruce Rineer and Virginia (Deppen) Rineer. Ann was the devoted wife of George Sexton, whom she married on March 8, 2025.

Ann was a woman of steadfast faith, determination, and love for her family. More than anything, she desired for her life to honor and glorify God and to show others His love.

Ann raised her children to believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that each of us was created for a purpose. She constantly encouraged them to seek God, discover what He had called them to do, and then be about doing it.

When life was difficult, Ann often reminded her children to “push yourself.” She believed in perseverance, hard work, and the sovereignty of God in every aspect of life. One of her favorite passages was Jeremiah 29:11, and she believed deeply that God had a plan, a hope, and a future for each of us.

Ann loved studying the Bible, praising the Lord, sharing Christ with others, playing 500 Rummy, and spending time with her husband, George. Her church family at New Covenant Christian Church of Millersville was an important part of her life and faith.

Above all, Ann treasured spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, and their families. Family gatherings, conversations, laughter, and simply being together brought her tremendous joy.

Her faith also compelled her to care for others. Throughout her life, Ann opened her home and her heart to people in need. She welcomed foreign exchange students, young women, young men, and young families who needed a place to stay, encouragement, guidance, or simply someone willing to invest in their future. She also welcomed young adults into her home for Tuesday night dinners, conversation, fellowship, and an opportunity to grow closer to God through community. Ann believed every person had value and a God-given purpose, and she lived that belief through the way she cared for others.

Ann’s legacy lives on in the faith she planted in her family, the home she opened to others, the people she invested in, and the lives she changed. Above everything else, Ann wanted God to be glorified through her life. Her family takes comfort in knowing that the faith she so faithfully lived and shared throughout her life has now brought her home to the Lord she loved.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Bruce “Bob” Rineer and Michael Rineer; and her son-in-law, Gregory Scott “Greg” Hirtzel.

She is survived by her husband, George Sexton; her children, KristyAnn Hirtzel (the late Greg), Richard “Rich” Mellott (Renee), and Josh Mellott (Amber); and her eleven beloved grandchildren: Ed Hirtzel, Madeline Hirtzel, Erin Hirtzel, Luke Hirtzel, Morgan Fields, Mitchell Mellott, Mason Mellott, Maverick Mellott, Nora Mellott, Connery Mellott, and Booth Mellott, as well as their wives, husbands, and partners. She is also survived by her great-grandson, Beau Richard Dean Fields, whom she adored; her sisters, Brucetta Beatty (Horace “Butch”) and Virginia Mintz (Charles “Chip”); her brother, Larry Rineer (Sue); and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a viewing on Saturday, September 12, 2026, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 441 N. George St., Millersville, Pennsylvania, where her funeral service and celebration of life will begin at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Manheim.