Helen Herring

Ms. Helen Herring was born August 11, 1956, in Panola County, Mississippi to the late J. B. Herring Sr. and Annie Louise Ford Herring.  She transitioned from life to eternity on Monday, February 20, 2023, at Baptist Health Center in Van Buren, AR. 

Helen accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and joined Johnson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Courtland, MS where she served as a member of the choir.  After she moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with her sister Mary Parker, Helen united with the Wildwood Christian Church under the leadership of Rev. W. W. Simms. 

Helen received her formal education in the South Panola public schools and was a member of the graduating class of 1974.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Central State University, Edmond Oklahoma as well as her Master’s Degree in Information Technology from the University of Phoenix.  Helen earned and received numerous awards and certificates along her employment journey. 

Helen was family oriented as she assisted her sister, Gennett Shaw while residing in Illinois, helped with her mother while living in Tennessee, and her sister and niece, Glory Davis and Bobbie Nell Wright while residing in Oklahoma.  She supported the ministry of her sister, Tammy J Herring, as well as other members of the family and friends in various ways.  She was an advocate for justice and women’s rights; therefore, Helen was our “Prize Fighter”, “Boss Lady”, and “Personal Advisor”.  She was a connoisseur of life as she loved to travel, cook and enjoy time with her family.  According to the family, she made the best macaroni and cheese and butter roll along with other delicious meals. 

Helen’s employment history began at Muscle Shoal in Batesville, MS immediately out of high school.  After college, she started her career in Information Technology with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City.  She was employed with the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) as a Database Administrator Analyst until her untimely passing.  Helen was looking forward to her retirement soon. 

Helen leaves to cherish her memory three sisters, Glory A. Davis, Edmond, OK; Dorothy King and Tammy J Herring, Courtland, MS; two brothers, Jerry Ford, Courtland; David (Ruth) Herring, Oakland, MS; Her ride or die, Travion Q. Ford and new love, “Katie Mae”; a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. 

Helen is preceded in death by her Mother and Father, three sisters, Arie R. Wright, Mary L Parker, and Gennett Shaw, one niece, Melissa M Ford and one nephew, Karl Gates.