Barbara Ann Burch Herring passed away unexpectedly on January 9, 2019 at a hospital in Mobile, AL. She was born on October 10, 1941 in Niagara Falls, New York. Barbara was a long-time resident of Mobile and a very active member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. She earned a degree in Elementary Education from The W (Mississippi University for Women) in Columbus, Mississippi. Barbara began her teaching career in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. She put her teaching career on hold to rear her children. She returned to teaching once her children entered high school. Mrs. Herring was an inspirational and dedicated third grade teacher at Indian Springs Elementary School in Eight Mile, AL.
Barbara was a humble and faithful servant of Christ. She loved and cherished her family, her friends, and her faithful canine companion, Abraham. She loved her church, America, Blue Bell Ice Cream, and Abraham Lincoln. She was an independent, tiny fashionista who will not only be remembered for her giving heart, but her keen sense of style. She loved everyone and everything except her hair, the cold, technology, and Comcast Cable.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Marva Bogardus Burch; her former father and mother-in-law, Ralph and Lola Herring; her sister-in-law, Sharron Stewart Burch; her nephew, Bob Sawyer; and her dear and precious first grandchild, Brenda Ann Robinson.
She leaves her two children to cherish her memory; her son, of whom she was so very proud, Captain Patrick Herring, USN and his wife Michelle Howard Herring who instantly became a daughter, a confidant, and a friend; and her daughter and rumored favorite child, Jennifer Herring Robinson and her husband Robby who Barbara thought could do or fix any and everything. Grandy, as she was affectionately known, will be eternally missed by her three remaining grandchildren, Victoria (Tori) Robinson, Emily Herring and Ethan Herring. Barbara is also survived by her loving, doting brother, Donald V. Burch of Brandon, Mississippi, and her dear baby sister, Marilyn (Don) Propes of Haughton, Louisiana. Also left to mourn her passing is Brenda Wilusz Adkins, who Barbara lovingly and affectionately referred to as her “yard child”.
Barbara is also survived by many former in-laws who remained family-even after they were no longer in-laws: Myles and Susan Herring, Stacy Pittinos and Leigh Ellis; and an especially devoted sister-in-law, Stephanie (Bobby) Sawyer. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews who she loved like her own children.
Barbara had many very dear and special friends who became family, including Joan Sheusi of Lewiston, New York, Tim and Susan Knight, Theles Woodfin, Betty Watts, and Wendy Wheeler.
The family would like to express their gratitude to her neighbors for always watching out for her. Like everyone in Barbara’s life, these neighbors became more than friends they became family: Barbara Wilusz, Joyce Bailey, and Kenny and Sherry Helms.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Mobile, Alabama. The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. with services beginning at 11:00 a.m. A reception will be held in the Parrish Hall immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Barbara’s honor, 1050 Azalea Road, Mobile, AL 36693.
