Frances Jean Herring

Frances was born on August 18, 1939 in Glendale, California, to Hubert and Velma (Sherbourne) Fergason. In 1937 her parents had moved from Oklahoma, to California in search of work and in 1942 her family moved back to Oklahoma. Fran grew up on the south side of Oklahoma City and enjoyed a happy, healthy childhood. In high school, Fran’s friends asked what she wanted to do with her life and Fran replied that wanted nothing more than to be a wife and a mother. While attending Southeast High School she married her high school sweetheart, Donald Ray Herring in December 1955, at Lambuth United Methodist Church. They enjoyed more than 57 years of marriage together to which was born one daughter and two sons. Don preceded her in death in 2013. Fran is survived by daughter Cindy Cole and husband Rick of Moore, and son Randy Herring and wife Becky of Lawton; her grandchildren Richard Paulk of OKC, Randon Paulk of OKC, Brian Herring and wife Kim of Duncan, Amy Herring of Lawton, Rikki Herring and Zack Puckett of Choctaw; and her great-grandchildren Trey Paulk of Moore, Grayson Puckett of Choctaw, Khloe Paulk of Moore, and a fourth great-grandchild is on the way. Fran is also survived by her brothers Frank Fergason and Bill Fergason and Bill’s wife Karen; as well as many nieces and nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Don; her son Richard (Rick) and Rick’s wife Carla.

Fran followed her Air Force husband from Oklahoma City to Salina, Kansas; Roswell, New Mexico; Plattsburg, New York; Altus, Oklahoma; Guam; and then back to Oklahoma City where they retired from military service. First and foremost, she was a wife and mother. She supported her husband’s military career by participating in military wives’ organizations and she supported her children by making sure they were raised in church and by serving in their schools and sports activities and anything they were involved with. Fran had great talent for decorating cakes and had her own cake business and catering service. She won awards at the Oklahoma State Fair for her cakes. She made and decorated beautiful wedding cakes for each of her children as well as birthday and other special occasion cakes for her family through the years. She worked full time and part time for more than 30 years at Sears and retired in 2009. When Don began his second career with the US Postal Service, Fran became an active member of, and held various offices in, the National Rural Letter Carriers Association, which she continued until her death. Fran had a deep faith in God and was an active church member her entire life. She served the church in many capacities through the years and was still working in the church office at the time of her passing. She was confident where she would be going when she left this life and was looking forward to being with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and as well as being reunited with her loved ones who had gone before her. She fulfilled her lifelong dream of being a wife and mother and her family can testify that she was the very best mother and grandmother in the world.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Fran’s name to Lambuth United Methodist Church (Food Pantry/Homeless Ministry), 3823 S. Shields, OKC, OK 73129.