Mrs. Loretta R. Herrin

As a lifelong educator and college Professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at various institutions in the United States, Mrs. Loretta R. Herrin forged strong, decades-long relationships with students and faculty across the country. Loretta passed away on January 24, 2023 at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Columbia, SC. Born July 13, 1937 in Trenton, New Jersey, Loretta received an early lesson in the value of higher education from her parents, the late Rubin and Mattie Rasberry. Educated in Orangeburg County Schools, she graduated from Wilkinson High School and attended South Carolina State (College) University, where she earned her B.S. degree in Health and Physical education. She also earned her M.ED degree in Education from Tennessee State University, and later received her A.B degree in Business Management from Columbia Junior College. Understanding that education is a lifelong process, Loretta completed advance studies in Biology and Health Education Administration from South Carolina State (College) University and the University of South Carolina. Other courses of study included the Training Institute for Special Programs Personnel for Project Evaluation for Marquette University and the National Science Foundation at Huston-Tillotson (College) University, Alston, Texas. Loretta taught high school at Westside in Anderson, South Carolina before accepting a faculty position as an Instructor of Health and Physical Education at the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama. In addition, she served as an Instructor of Health and Physical Education at Caughman Road Middle School in Columbia, South Carolina, and an Instructor of the National Youth Sports Program at the University of South Carolina. In subsequent years, she was appointed to the positions of Assistant Professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Director of the Special Services Program, and Director of the Upward Bound Program at Benedict College. Loretta devoted 53 years of service as an Educator, and happily retired in 2012, after devoting 41 years of those years of educational service to Benedict College. Loretta has been honored for her commitment to education by receiving the Boy Scouts of America Service Award, Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Programs Personnel Outstanding Service Award, Benedict College President's Award, YWCA Twin (Community Service) Award, National Council of Negro Women Outstanding Service Award, the Richland County School District I Volunteer Service Award, and honored as an outstanding "Women of Faith" by Northminister Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina. In the name of service, Loretta was an active member of several boards and organizations, including the National Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel, South Carolina Council of Special Programs, National Council of Educational Opportunity Associations, NAACP, American Association of University Professors, and the Girl Scouts Program, Coordinator, Anderson, South Carolina. Loretta was baptized at an young age, and joined McBranch Baptist Church in Branchville, South Carolina. She later became a member of Ridgewood Missionary Baptist Church where she served on the Adult and Mass Choirs, Pastor's Aid Ministry, Hospitality Ministry, and a board member with the Ridgewood Foundation. She was a Silver Soror and a lifetime member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Incorporated. Loretta was also a member of the Red Hat Society (Ladies of Distinction) , The Charmettes, and several local Bridge Clubs. Her hobbies included, playing Bridge and traveling aboard and within the US, in which she visited all fifty (50) States, and five (5) continents. "Amazing Grace" was her favorite hymn, and she took pride in reading her favorite Bible verse - Psalms 37. United in holy matrimony on December 20, 1969, Loretta honored her sacred vows to the late Ellis J. Herrin, Sr. To this union, their only son, Eldridge Denae Herrin (Denny) was born. Loretta was preceded in death by her brother, Edward J. (Carolyn) Rasberry; sister, Ruby Mae (Clearance) Davis; sister-in-law, Geraldine Herrin; brothers-in-law; Carl Ulmer, Sr., Gerald Herrin and Raymond Herrin. Loretta's memory will forever be in the hearts of her son, Eldridge D. Herrin of Columbia, SC; two bonus children, Julia (James) Tellie and Ellis (Doris) Herrin, Jr. both of Fort Worth, TX; one sister, Mattie Ulmer of Beaufort, SC; six grandchildren, Eldridge Herrin II of Columbia, SC Jhordan Brown of Mooresville, NC, Quijana Felder of Sumter, SC, Christopher Herrin, Jhailen Herrin, and Zoe Herrin all of Columbia, SC; two great - grandchildren, Elijah Herrin of Columbia, SC and Kaylani Herrin of Castro Valley, CA; three aunts, Annie Nell Wyatt of Harlem, NY, Emma Rhett and Nancy Rasberry of Columbia, SC; a very special niece; Bernadette L. Ulmer of Beaufort, SC; a daughter-in-love, Andraea D. Herrin of Columbia, SC and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, church family and adoring friends. The Herrin family acknowledges with grateful appreciation, all of your kind expressions of love and sympathy. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 3, 2023 at Ridgewood Missionary Baptist Church Family Life Center, 5335 Ridgeway Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29203. Interment to follow in the Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29209. Public viewing will be held from 12 noon until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 2, 2023 at A. A. Dicks Funeral Home Sullivan Chapel and 10:00 a.m. until time of service, Friday, February 3, 2023 at Ridgewood Missionary Baptist Church Family Life Center, 5335 Ridgeway Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29203. To view the service for Mrs. Loretta R. Herrin, please click on the link below: https://fb.watch/iuvx3jA5H6/ https://fb.watch/iuvyDbTtaB/ Please leave Mrs. Loretta R. Herrin family your condolences and prayers. Like our Facebook page: A. A. Dicks Funeral Home - Sullivan Chapel Add our Facebook Friend Page and leave a comment: A. A. Dicks FH

Mrs. Loretta R. Herrin

July 13, 1937 - January 24, 2023