Joanne Herring Obituary

Joanne Adelaide Caldwell Herring, 86, passed away Sunday, March 16, 2025. She was born July 12, 1938 in Port Orange, Florida but grew up in Deland. She graduated from Deland High School and then Florida State University where she majored in Home Economics. She began her career in the Extension Service in Dade City, Florida. This is where she met her soon-to-be husband, Stewart. He took one look and went home to tell his mother, "I've met the cat-eyed woman I'm going to marry!" After a brief stint in Missouri, in 1970 the couple came back to make their home in Williston. It was not long after this she became a home economics teacher at Williston High School. She taught students how to sew and cook – people still remember her sour cream biscuits and no-back chocolate cookies with fondness – and adult sewing at night. Her last 20 years as a teacher took place at Williston Middle School, where she was awarded Teacher of the Year. Through her 33 years as a teacher, she influenced over 5,000 students. She affected countless others through her volunteer work with 4-H, the Women's Club, Future Teachers and as Sr. Warden of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. After retirement, she teamed up with Stewart and hit the BBQ Circuit, entering competitions and serving as judges for the BBQ Association. She is proceeded in death by her husband, and her son, Charles. She is survived by her oldest daughter, Deborah Scruggs (Tom) and her youngest daughter, Julia Dykeman (Nate), eight grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at 4 pm, Saturday, March 22 at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 521 NW 1st Ave., Williston.