Emily Griswold Herring; mom to three boys, wife, Mom, Grandmother & Granny Em to five grandchildren and five great grandchildren, friend of many; peacefully passed away in Birmingham Alabama, April 17, 2021. She was ninety-six years old. She was a lifelong Birmingham resident. Emily was born August 6, 1924 in Avondale to parents Frank and Olive Griswold and sister to “Sis” Edith.
While attending Woodlawn High School, during the early 1940’s Emily met her husband Jesse L. Herring and they were married in 1946, remaining married until his passing in 1994.
Together they enjoyed entertaining, playing bridge with ‘the club’, traveled extensively and spending time with their family. Being a mother to three boys, her ‘life’s focus’, was dedicated to Lee, David, and Don, supporting their varied endeavors with love, integrity, and her time. Beit, serving as a cub scout den mother, team Mom, driving to countless ball games, choir practices, etc., she was always selflessly focused on her children.
Emily was a Methodist and her lifelong journey of faith was evident to all. Her consistent sweet and caring demeanor enabled Emily to witness and share her experiences. Over the years she worshiped at: Avondale UMC, East Lake UMC from 1953-1993 where she was a member of the Innovator Class followed by Huffman UMC where she was a member of the Friendship Class. She was an active member of ‘circles’, led the UMW.
Over the years Emily enjoyed her working career with: Metallurgical Services and Architectural Hardware but her real passion was to continue to collaborate with similar thinking people through volunteerism.
She was a volunteer at Medical Center East for 25-years. She worked in gift shop, became President of the MCE Auxiliary and was an ex officio member the MCE Board of Directors. Additionally, Emily was an active member of the Huffman Business Professional Women, Roebuck Garden Club and Felicia Literary Club. Emily found ‘volunteer work’ to be important on many levels: spiritual, civic, and the right example for friends and family.
Emily was an incredible woman who loved her family fiercely, loved her friends unconditionally and, above all, love God with all her heart! She loved people, she enjoyed anything and everything social and was an avid walker. What a life time role model she was for her family and friends giving sacrificially of her love, time and resources. While saddened by the physical loss of her, we rejoice in the knowledge that she is always watching over us!
Emily is survived by her sons Lee (Gail) of Atlanta, David (Claudia) of Birmingham and Don (Mary) of Atlanta, Additional survivors include grandchildren Daniel (Shannon), Todd, Nic (Haley), Cindy, Stephen, her great grandchildren Eden, Amelia, Elly, Bryson, Ethan and three nephews.
Services will be at Ridout Southside Chapel, 2116 University Blvd., Birmingham, Al. on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 with visitation 10-11 AM followed by the celebration service at 11 AM. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery, 600 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Birmingham, Alabama 35211, Rev. Reid Crotty officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that donations be made to Huffman UMC or the Arbors at St. Martin’s In The Pines. The family also wants to thank the entire St. Martin In The Pines family for bringing so much joy and fulfillment to Emily’s life over the past 5 1/2 years.
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