Rebecca Redd Herring

Rebecca Redd Herring, age 61, passed at home on December 29, 2011 surrounded by her family after fighting courageously Multiple Myeloma cancer for the last 3 ½ years. Rebecca was born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 18, 1950 growing up in Pinson, AL. She attended Hewitt Trussville High School and went on the Jacksonville State University. Before relocating to Atlanta in 1987, Rebecca worked at East Lake UMC where she was the director of Senior Adults travels participating in many wonderful trips and making friendships that lasted for years. Once in Atlanta, she completed her undergraduate degree at Kennesaw State University and her Masters of Divinity at Candler School of Theology at Emory University achieving Magna Cum Laude designation from both universities. She was ordained a Deacon in the North Georgia Conference in 1995 and served as Associate Pastor at Sandy Springs UMC (1995-2000) and Cumming First UMC (2000-2010). She was blessed to have made so many loving, caring friends from both of these appointments, many of whom have remained close to her during her illness. Rebecca was a gifted story teller who had the ability to paint a visual picture of her personal life experiences that she shared with her congregations. Her prayers will always be remembered as being heartfelt and a true expression of what was happening in our world at the time they were offered. Many of her advent prayers were assembled in a book that was published in 2006 and more recently part of a prayer series that she completed just a month before her passing. Rebecca and her husband, Lee celebrated their 41th wedding anniversary on December 18th. They were devoted to each other and supported each other in their careers, passions and raising their children, Daniel and Todd. Rebecca loved and cherished her role as “Mimi” to her precious granddaughters, Eden and Amelia. Many times, Rebecca would push herself to do things with and for her granddaughters in spite of her illness...a true labor of love! Rebecca was preceded in death by her mother Evelyn Redd, father Reginald Redd and twin brother & sister, Ruth and Davis. She is survived by her husband Lee, sons Daniel (Shannon), Todd and granddaughters, Eden and Amelia, all of Marietta, GA. Other survivors include her Uncle Allen Neel (Frankie), Uncle Edward Trammell both of Blountsville, AL., Aunt Jean Redd of Montgomery, AL, cousins Janice Blahnik (Jim) of Huntsville, AL, Joyce Nicholson, Mary Beth Nuss, both of Moody, AL, Barbara Worrell (Barry) of Ellijay, GA, Les Neel (Mitchie) of Pinson, AL, Lisa Neel Morris (Mike) of Huntsville, AL, Buddy Lucas (Laura) of Union Grove, AL, Kay McKinty (Andrew) of Greenville, NC , Ella Ruth Morris of Cleveland, TN , Emmett Neel (Nancy) of Pelham, AL . Other survivors include mother-in-law Emily Herring, brothers-in-law David Herring (Claudia), both from Birmingham, AL, Don Herring (Mary) of Marietta, GA, nephews Stephen Herring, Nic Herring (Haley) and niece Cindy Arrington (Justin). The family would like to recognize and thank the dedicated, caring team of medical professionals at Emory Winship Cancer Institute led by Dr. Sagar Lonial, the nurses & techs at the Infusion Center & Phase One clinic and the Emory Hospital staff on 7 & 8E. Visitation is planned at H. M. Patterson & Son-Canton Hill Chapel, 1157 Old Canton Road, Marietta, GA for Tuesday, January 3rd from 5– 8 PM. A private burial will be on Wednesday, January 4th followed by a Celebration Service open to all at 11:00 AM at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, 4385 Lower Rowell Road, Marietta, GA and a reception following the service at Indian Hills Country Club, 4001 Clubland Drive, Marietta, GA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be directed to the Rebecca Herring Fund at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University (checks payable to Winship Cancer Institute), 1762 Clifton Rd., Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30322 or to Must Ministries, PO Box 1717, Marietta, Ga. 30061 by showing “Eliz Inn (Rebecca Herring)” on your donation check which can be mailed to the address shown above or completed on line at www.mustministries.org.

Arrangements under the direction of H.M. Patterson & Son-Canton Hill Chapel, Marietta, GA.