Everett Herndon

Everett Eugene Herndon, 83, of 15908 Mount Cross Road, died Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at Danville Regional Medical Center after a brief decline in health. Born January 12, 1926, in Pittsylvania County, he was the son of the late Leonard Hylton Herndon, Sr. and Lucy Washington Martin Herndon. On November 28, 1946, he married Bernice Naomi Carter Herndon who preceded him in death on January 4, 2000. He was also predeceased by four brothers, Len, Orville, Harold and Carroll Herndon; four sisters, Barbara Guerry, Doris Reynolds, Blanche Holley and Alma Wright. He is survived by his four daughters Brenda Edwards and husband Lonnie of Swansonville; Nancy Walker and husband Charles of Danville; Pam Riggins of Swansonville; Naomi Gibson and husband Randy of Whitmell. Nine grandchildren, Charlie, Barry and Damon Edwards; Gregg and Payton Walker; April Riggins Cox and James Riggins; Amanda and Rand Gibson. Two great grandchildren: Sabastian Cox and Landen Walker. Brother, Rev. Malcolm Herndon of Franklin Springs, Ga., and sister, Rebecca Mumpower of Calhoun, Ga., friend and neighbor Garnett Francis. Mr. Herndon lived his entire life in the Swansonville community. He grew up as a farmer and later worked for Dan River, Inc. where he retired after 30 years of service. Initially attending Swansonville Pentecostal Holiness Church during his youth, he later attended Bethlehem Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, sang in the choir and was a devoted member for 63 years. Mr. Herndon served in World War II as a Technician 5th Class, Service Battery 924th Field Artillery Battalion. During his service in WWII he fought in three major battles that covered the Battle of the Bulge, the Ardennes Forrest and later crossing the Rhine River during the invasion of Germany. His military awards include the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European-African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon and WWII Victory Ribbon. During the course of his combat tour he befriended Royal Landis of Des Moines, Iowa, who remains close friends with the family. Funeral services will be held at Wrenn-Yeatts Westover Chapel on March 6, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. The Reverends J.B. Baldridge, Malcolm Herndon and Mike Hearp will officiate, followed by the interment in Danville Memorial Gardens. The American Legion Dan River Post 1097 Honor Guard will provide Military Honors. The family will receive friends on March 5, 2009, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Wrenn-Yeatts Westover Chapel and at other times will be at the residence of his daughter, Pam Riggins, 117 Pritchett Farm Road in Swansonville.

Everett Herndon

January 12, 1926 - March 3, 2009