Gertie Pearl (Mainor) Herring

Gertie Pearl Mainor Herring, 80 of 2755 Harrells Hwy. Garland, NC, was born on June 15, 1938 in Sampson Country, NC to Thomas and Bessie Mainor.  She changed her earthly address to her heavenly address on February 1, 2019.  To God be the Glory!

Gertie was the youngest of 14 children, the baby.  She married Elvie Lee Herring on January 23, 1956.  Shortly after their marriage, they relocated to Waterbury CT.   In 1960, they moved back to Garland with their family.    The Herring family was a blessed family with two loving parents.

Gertie received her education at Bland School in Harrells, NC.  After 18 years, she left her profession as a seamstress at Fleetline Shirt Factory (Brook Brothers) to continue her education at Sampson Community College and obtained her certification as a Nursing Assistant.  She was employed at Sampson Memorial Hospital for several years, until she retired to care for her husband.  She was also a daycare worker (she loved children) and a florist working for one of the largest African American owed florist (Fennell’s Florist) in Wilmington, NC and at Carter’s Florist.  She actually made the flowers for Michael Jordon father’s funeral.  In addition to her vocational occupations she wore several hats:  wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, potter, hair dresser, cook (she did not believe in recipes and measurements), disciplinarian, farmer, banker, teacher, mediator, judge and counselor; but most of all the Rock and Glue of our family.

Gertie was a faithful member of St. Stephens A.M.E. Zion Church in Garland, NC.  She served on various committees, including Senior and Youth Choir Director, Sunday School Secretary and Home Missions Worker.  Gertie spent three years in Massachusetts to provide childcare to her two great- grandchildren (Laila and DaQuall, Jr.).  While in Massachusetts she attended at Mission Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in Somerville, MA and was baptized in Jesus Name and filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Gertie loved the Lord, she could often be found singing hymns with her baby daughter Valeria and more recently with her bigger baby daughter Ina.

To her family Gertie was affectionally know as: Ma, Momma, Granny, Grandma, G.P., Pretty Lady, and Real Grandma.  To her friends she was known as: Gert, Pearl, Aunt Pearl,Momma Gertie, Gertie Pearl and Mother Herring.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00AM Friday, February 08, 2019 at St. Stephens A.M.E. Zion Church, by the Reverend Hugh Miller.  Burial will follow in the Garland Community Cemetery.

Gertie was proceeded in death by her husband Elvie Lee Herring, four brothers and six sisters.  She leaves to cherish her memory: five loving daughters, Sandra Bryant, Rosehill, NC; Cynthia Fennell, Fayetteville, NC; Ina Johnson (Gerald), Garland, NC; Clarissa Brown, Malden, MA; Valeria Russ, Fayetteville, NC and one son Fredrick Herring, Garland, NC.  Three siblings: Willie Mae Lee, Esther Hayes (Bill) and Frederick Mainor.  Grandchildren: Donald Bryant (Tammy), DaQuall Graham (Sheena), Shabakka Herring (Jennifer), Marcus Hardison (Takeea) and Leonard Russ (Violette).  Great-Grandchildren: Myteeanna, Quinton, Laila, DaQuall, Jr., Payton, Claudia Pearl, Braxton, Caleb, Norah Ann, and Godson, DaQuan.  She will also be cherished by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

The public will be received on Thursday, February 07, 2018 from 1:00PM-5:00P.M, to sign the register for Mrs. Gertie.  There will be a private viewing for family only.