Freda M Herndon

Freda McDaniel Herndon, 87, passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2023. A celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 in the chapel of Snow’s at Macon Memorial Park at 3:00 pm with Rev. Jimmy Corbitt officiating. The family will greet friends from 2:00 pm until service time. Burial will follow the service at Macon Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Care Options, 486 New St. Macon, GA 31201.

Freda was the daughter of the late William Fred and Dorothy Braswell McDaniel. She attended Byron High School. As a member of West Highland Baptist Church she served in the nursery and on the Hospitality Committee. She also attended Wesleyan Drive Baptist Church. Freda worked as an administrative assistant at Jim Walter Homes. She spent 68 years married to the love of her life, Mardie R. Herndon and together they had 2 children, and their family went on to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Freda enjoyed travelling and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Freda was a gracious, warm, loving individual who was always happy to see you. She had an infectious laugh which was likely built on life experiences of her upbringing and more than 68 years of marriage to her husband. She was one of seven siblings in a home which was filled with love and gentleness. A large family in what today would be considered a small house provided for more than enough conversations, life lessons and vast opportunities to laugh with her siblings. She had a wonderful sense of humor that created unique, fond memories for all.

Freda had a gentleness about her that was easily seen and readily felt. She was kind to strangers, endearing to friends and loved nothing more than being with family. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the highlights of her life. She gave her family unconditional love not only when needed or when difficulties were present, but continuously. She loved consistently never wavering from what was most important to her...her family and her faith.

While her success is not marked by awards or publicly recognizable lifetime achievements as defined by today's standards, she is a hero to her family. She was not complex, she was authentic. She was not overly competitive, she was committed. She was not void of a vision for the future, she was keenly focused on ways to help her family. She did not express her faith for recognition from others, she brought to life her faith by her loving actions.

On October 14th,Freda stepped into Glory after battling Alzheimer's for years. As terrible as the disease is for those who suffer, in her mind and heart, there always remained a smile, laughter and a central love for her family which never vanished. Even as recognition of faces faded during this past year, her loving heart and gentleness never left her spirit. Her bright blue eyes reflected her warmth until her last breath.

The words grace, kindness and gentleness come to mind when everyone remembers Freda M. Herndon. A life well lived by every measure.

Survivors include her husband of 68 years, Mardie R. Herndon SR. ; children, Susan Hancock (Steve) and Mardie R. Herndon JR (Jennifer) ; grandchildren, Colby Dean (Vanessa), Kyle Hancock (Hillary), Maggie Royal (JT), Mollie Johnson (John), Kailyn Herndon; great-grandchildren, Kingston Dean, Jack Hancock, David Royal, Jillian Johnson, Evelyn Johnson, Maddux Johnson; Siblings, Billy McDaniel, Marshall McDaniel, and Shirley Harden.

Freda was preceded in death by her parents William Fred and Dorothy Braswell McDaniel and siblings, Braswell McDaniel, Mary Brand, and Leon McDaniel.

Snow’s Funerals and Cremations at Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.maconmp.com for the Herndon family.