Demetrie Herbert

Demetrie “Dee Dee” Cole Herbert was born the youngest of eleven children to the late Lydia Etheridge Cole and the late Jessie Johnson on June 6, 1957 in Pensacola, Florida. She departed this life on January 11, 2016 at her home surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by siblings: Ada Cole, Jackie Cole, Phillip Milroe, Minnie Jenkins, and Bernice Lanier.

Dee Dee graduated from Pensacola High School in 1975. She also attended Cosmetology School. Dee Dee lived with and cared for her mother until she passed in 1984. She then moved to Spring Valley, NY with her two daughters in 1991.

She was a dedicated childcare provider, after which she was employed for East Ramapo Central School District as a Food Service Worker from 1997 until her passing, where she was affectionately known as the “Mean Lunch Lady” who made sure the kids had something to eat even if they didn't have enough to pay for it, she also gave good, sound advice to the students that she came to care about like they were her own. Dee Dee was a devoted care giver to her family and friends alike. She was always there through times of surgery and sickness. Those who knew Dee Dee, knew she opened her heart and home to her family when it was needed.

Her favorite pass times where playing bingo and doing hair, people came from all around just to get their hair braided by Dee Dee!

Dee Dee leaves to cherish her memories her two daughters, Danice Washington of Nanuet, NY and Raven S. Herbert of Jamaica, NY; one grandchild, Zavier Demetrie Starks of Nanuet, NY; four sisters, Edna Cole of Lawrenceville, GA; Rebecca Reed of Hampton, VA; Lucile Merriman of Springfield, MA; Daisy Williams of Spring Valley, NY and one brother, Ed Cole(Christine) of Moss Point, MS; one god sister, Bessie Gaylord of Pensacola, Fl; a special cousin Pauline Johnson of Pensacola, Fl; two special nieces, Joey Jenkins of Spring Valley, NY and Shaunda Cole-Killian (Lamonte) of Bear, DE; five god grandchildren, two of Pensacola Fl , two of Spring Valley, NY, and one of Binghamton, NY; one god great grandchild of Pensacola, Fl and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, relatives and friends too numerous to name.