Obituary of Doretha Herndon

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs: verses 26 thru 31. We assemble here to honor the life and times of Doretha Herndon whose days on this earth symbolized everything that was an example of endurance, determination, dependability, faithfulness and patience learned from parents who instilled Christian values in their children and a strong work ethic. On September 10, 1929 in Beggs, Oklahama. Doretha was born to her parents, Phil and Estella (Henry) Cowan. She was the 5th of eleven children. As a young child, Doretha began her learning process at home. She received her formal education in Wagoner County after she and her family moved from Beggs. Doretha honored her parents and grew to have an undying devotion to her sisters and brothers. She treasured spending time with her family throughout her lifetime. In the coming years, her strong faith in God, and being surrounded by love of family would help her endure low periods in her life during serious illnesses. In her late teens, she met her future husband who lived on a neighboring farm. His name was Eddie Lee Herndon, Sr., son of George and Myrtle (Ogans) Herndon. After a few years of courtship, they were joined in holy matrimony. From this marriage 5 children were born. Eddie Lee preceded her in death on June 19, 2012. After Doretha professed her belief in Christ, she united with Page Memorial Church of God In Christ, Tulsa, Okla. (pastored by the late J.L. Alaman) and later transferred to Hearne Temple (pastored by Bishop Lee V. Broom). There at Page Memorial she was taken under the wings of church elders and learned to serve the Lord wholeheartedly. She served as Sunday School Secretary, church treasurer and in other church capacities, programs and ministries. She was a devoted and supportive member of Hearne Temple in her later years until she became unable to attend. Besides being a wife, a good and caring mother and homemaker, she began work outside the home. She was employed by Ford Glass Plant in Broken Arrow, Okla and retired after 17 years of employment. For over 60 years Doretha and Eddie Lee worked together, raising the children, maintaining their family farm, through struggles and achievements, successes and failures, enjoying pleasures and enduring hardships. Throughout their lives together, God was gracious and merciful to them with the gift of children and the means to support and educate them. Doretha was a generous and kind person, a confidente and counselor to her children and close friends. Her favorite things were reading, visiting the sick and shut-in, baking peach cobblers for those she knew and loved. Her true joys of life was shopping with her daughters, traveling with her sisters to women’s conventions, attending gospel concerts and visiting and socializing with her friends and family. In recent years, Doretha’s health began to decline. She received medical and nursing care at local hospitals and at home also. It was at her home, surrounded by loving family members on January 18, 2017 at 10:26 am she was called home by her heavenly father. Preceding her in death are her husband Eddie Lee, her parents, 4 brothers: Johnny Lee, Roscoe, and Phillip Cowan. 2 sisters: Lillie P. Cowan Walker and Phyllis Cowan Denny. Doretha leaves in God’s care, loved ones in her immediate family, and numerous relatives and friends. She is survived by her devoted children; Juanita Herndon Thomas of Baltimore, MD; Carolyn Herndon Gray (Luther) of Tulsa, OK; Earl Lee Herndon (Debbie) of Dallas, TX; Keith Herndon (Melissa) of Coweta and Eddie Lee Herndon, Jr of Broken Arrow; 8 grandchildren: Donald, LaShonda, Chanelle, Taylor, Kendall, Joshua, Destiny and Noah; 4 great grandchildren: Chloe, Haleigh, Kiya, Jaxxon, Riley, Dakota. Numerous nieces and nephews. We thank God for the precious life and the memories we are left with. May she rest in peace and be remembered with love. Viewing will be from 9 AM - 8 PM on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Wright-Brown Family Funeral Home. Services celebrating Doretha's life will be at 1 PM on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at Living Stone Teaching Church in Coweta, OK. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery in Okmulgee, OK. Family and friends may share memories online at www.brownfamilyfuneralhome.com. The family of Doretha Herndon entrusted her care and services to Wright-Brown Family Funeral Home, 210 S. Broadway, Coweta, OK 74429, 918-486-5515.