James Edward Herndon Sr. was called home on Sept. 6, 2015, at his residence. He was born Jan. 17, 1928, in Isle of Wight County to the late Thelma Applewhite and Hines Herndon. He was the father of Holly Grove A.M.E church, where he served faithfully until his illness. He was a devoted woodworker at Kirk Lumber Company for 54 years.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Lena M. Brock-Herndon; his daughter, Linda Herndon-Rodgers; and his baby son, Donald Herndon. He leaves to cherish his memories two sons, James Herndon Jr. (Mary) and Alton Herndon (Sonya); three daughters, Hazel Knight, Gloria Herndon-Young (Reginald), Sandra Herndon-Harris (Dennis); three devoted nieces, Regina Herndon, Meronica Wright and Rita Hunter; devoted sisters-in-law, Sallie Person and Pearl Adams; brother, Rufus Wilson, of Long Island, N.Y., and sister, Ella Mae Scott; 22 grandchildren, and a host of great-grands, nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, at St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church, 817 McKinley Ave. Pastor James R. McMillian will deliver the eulogy. He will be laid to rest in Holly Grove Cemetery, Windsor. Condolences to the Herndon family may be extended to www.crockerfuneralhome.com. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home Inc.