Jimmy Elizabeth Herndon's Obituary
HERNDON, JIMMY ELIZABETH Mom was born July 28, 1922 in Sayre, OK to Claude and Ila White. She was the older of two little redheaded girls. She grew up in Oklahoma City where she & her sister, Mary Bob, attended Grover Cleveland Elementary, Taft Junior High and Classen High School. Not surprisingly, with the name Jimmy and her dad calling her “Jim”, she was something of a tomboy. She thoroughly enjoyed the neighborhood football games with the boys and even once tackled a boy so hard she knocked the wind out of him. Ever her little sister’s defender, she resorted to fisticuffs with a neighborhood bully – much to the dismay of her prim & proper mother, but no doubt to the delight of her father. Mom displayed an aptitude for art at any early age and her parents encouraged her as she developed her skills. She won several awards for her work throughout her school years. In her early-married years, Mom earned money painting murals in people’s homes and did art work for a greeting card company. As her family grew her art became part of her service to others – a volunteer project for her church, a gift to a friend or a special request from family. It was at Epworth Methodist Church in Oklahoma City where a dashing young man named Jim first noticed a striking redhead. They were both active in the young adult group and sang in the choir. One evening after choir practice, Jimmy found a note in her coat pocket from Jim asking her out on a date. They began dating, but not without some resistance from her parents. You see, Mom was 16 and Dad was 24! They continued to date until Mom graduated from high school and then married the following December of 1940. And thus began a wonderful marriage that lasted 68 years and produced 6 children, 28 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren so far. World War II took them to Boston where Dad served in the Coast Guard. While in Boston they were thrilled to learn that Mom was expecting their first child. Their Boston friends were shocked to learn that she was planning to return to Oklahoma City for the birth. To them, Oklahoma was Indian Territory and they asked if there was even a hospital! Luckily, there was a hospital and Karen was safely born in 1943. Dad, still in Boston, received the news via telegram! The end of the War found them back in OKC and in 1946 Kent was born. Pat arrived four years later and then Jeanne followed in 1954. After our family moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, Jim III was born. We remained there until 1962 when a job change for Dad took us to Dallas where Laura was born 1963 and our family was complete. Life was full for Mom as she navigated the challenges of managing a large family. There were many years of school projects, elaborate birthday cakes, homemade doll clothes, unique gift wrapping, Easter dresses, prom dresses, gardening, picking & arranging wildflowers, wedding dresses, the list is endless. She was woman of many talents. Wherever they found themselves, Mom & Dad always made finding a church home a priority and the church was always the center of our family life. Studying the Bible was important to Mom and she made it a part of her daily routine. She tried to live what she learned. We, as well as countless others, are the beneficiaries of her relationship with Jesus. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Friday, January 17, 2014 at Mid Cities Bible Church in Bedford, Texas. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Restland Memorial Park. A memorial service will be at 12:00 PM, Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Mid Cities Bible Church.
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