Opal Rogers Herring, 99, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Friday, May 12, 2023, at Pruitt Health in Fitzgerald, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, Georgia, with the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Stembridge officiating. Denise Silcox will give the eulogy. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Fitzgerald. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Monday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald and will greet friends following the interment at Mrs. Herring’s home on Franklin Avenue.
Mrs. Herring was born March 30, 1924, in Wray, Georgia, to the late Wiley Vance & Viola Butler Rogers. She worked as a supervisor for Lowell Packing Company and as a seamstress for Fitzgerald Underwear. “Ms. Opal” also ministered to many people as a caregiver and sitter during hospital stays and sicknesses. She was a babysitter for generations of local children. She had a prolific green thumb and was very proud of her flowers and her yard. She grew orange trees from seeds and banana trees from sprouts. She also grew pineapples. She will be remembered for her cooking skills, especially her homemade biscuits. Mrs. Herring was a longtime member of Arbor Baptist Church and was currently the oldest living member.
She is survived by a daughter-in-law, Emmie Fowler Herring of Albany; several nieces and nephews including David & Terrie Hood of Canton, Denise & Mike Silcox of Cordele, Danny Hood of Canton, and Ricky & Joan Fowler of Leesburg, whom she helped to raise; grandchildren: Paul Herring, Chad & Michelle Herring, Kylie Sorge, Maggie Sorge, Zach Hood, Travis Hood, Josh & Jessica Hood, Danielle & Duanne Taylor, Kael Silcox, Josh Silcox, and Cara Molloy; great-grandchildren: Meredith & Tucker Dixon, Beth & Alan Bethea, Bradley Haymons, Aubrey Herring, and Angelina Hood; and great-great-grandchildren: Drew Dixon, Ava Dixon, and Carter Dixon. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis C. Herring; two sons: W.C. Herring and Milton Herring; a granddaughter, Cathy Haymons; and nine brothers and sisters.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Arbor Baptist Church Building Fund, 1137 North Merrimac Drive Extension, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.