Leona Elizabeth Herring

Mrs. Leona (Nona) Elizabeth Herring passed peacefully at the age of 84 on Sunday July 4th, 2021 and has now joined her late husband (of 63 years), Mr. William Thomas Herring, of Payne City, GA. Mrs. Leona Herring was born November 29, 1936 in Adrian, GA to Vester Lott and Daisy Foskey. She was one of 8 children and grew up farming with her 2 brothers and 5 sisters. Although daily tasks included both indoor and outdoor chores, you would typically find Leona in the field rather than the kitchen. She was a great caretaker and homemaker for her parents and a big influence on her siblings, Lott (Wanda) Foskey, Jack (Kathie) Foskey, Shirley (Talmadge) Poole, Joyce (Joe) Herndon, Ann (Melton) Tyson, Edna (Morris) Helton, and Roberta (Menzo) Fowler. Leona graduated from Adrian High School in 1954 where she participated in cheerleading. She enjoyed company and could strike up a conversation with anyone. She also had a knack for beauty. She was an accomplished licensed beautician in 3 states: California, Florida, and Georgia. She volunteered her services for those in need, including the residents at Scott nursing home. She married the love of her life, Tommy, on April 15th, 1956. She met Tommy in Payne City where her Aunt Zelia resided. After exchanging wedding vows, Leona became a navy wife. She traveled with Tommy both nationally and internationally. During their travel adventures, she gave birth to her son, Tim, in Pensacola, FL in 1957 and her daughter, Tammy, in San Diego, CA in 1961. Tommy and Leona returned to Scott, GA in 1966 to raise their family and there they planted roots by the same fields where Leona was raised. It was in 1984 that Leona became a "Nona" with the birth of her first grandchild. Tommy and Leona were blessed with 4 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Her grandkids were her greatest treasures. She loved nothing more than spoiling each of them with gifts and candy and preparing their favorite meals. One of the family's fondest memories is the Christmas "goody" bags Nona prepared throughout the year for each family member. Square dancing was also a passion shared between Leona and Tommy. They were active members of the Irish Reeler's Square Dancing Group in Dublin. Their love for square dancing even followed them during their stay in Japan, where they were instructors to the "Yokata Ramblers". After Tommy's naval retirement, his employment with the Warner Robins Air Force Base transferred him and Nona to Yokata, Japan for 4 years. She developed many friendships in Japan and was awarded a certificate of appreciation for her faithful and active participation in the United States Air Force Family Service Program. After returning home from Japan, Leona and Tommy enjoyed watching their grandkids grow up, marry, and eventually start families of their own. Leona was an active member of Bay Springs Baptist Church and served as a Sunday school teacher for several years. She leaves her cherished memories to her son Tim (Sheila) Herring of Scott, and her daughter Tammy (Ricky) Dixon of Scott; her 4 grandchildren - Trent (Toni Lynn) Herring of Dublin, Tyler (Ashton) Herring of Evans; Erica (Scotty) Beegle of Brooklet, Kyle Dixon of East Dublin with his fiancé Shannon Page; and 9 great grandchildren - Tucker, Tanna Rae, Tatum, and Tessa Jewel; Bailey Kate and Sutton; Annabelle, Rosalee and Clara. Funeral services for Mrs. Leona Herring will be held Thursday July 8th @ 2:00 pm at the Richard N. Stanley Memorial Chapel with burial services to follow at Bay Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. Dr. Roger Byrd, and Dr. Ron Bracewell will officiate. The family will receive friends from 1:00pm until 1:45pm before the funeral ceremony begins. Pallbearers will be Trent Herring, Tyler Herring, Erica Beegle, Kyle Dixon, Scotty Beegle, and Jay Foskey Honorary pallbearers will be the nieces and nephews of Leona Herring. Stanely Funeral Home & Crematory/Wrightsville Chapel in charge of funeral arrangements.