Jackie W. Herndon

Jacquelyn (Jackie) Todd Waldrop Herndon, 78, went to be with our Heavenly Father on Saturday, March 29, 2014. Born in Laurens, she was the daughter of the late Ruth and M. C. Waldrop, and predeceased by much loved aunt, Ruby Todd.
Survived by husband Earl Herndon, children: Joe Herndon, Laurens; Heather Herndon, Alexandria, VA; Todd Herndon (Betsy Palmer), San Antonio, TX; Grandchildren: Grace, Wright, Meredith Herndon, San Antonio, TX; sister Ruth Lawrence (Charles), nephew Chuck Lawrence and niece Lyn Mixson (John), great niece Meredith Mixson and great nephew Drayton Mixson, sister-in-law Polly Wells (Frank), cousins Sara Walker (Bill), and Don Waldrop (Laurie).
Jackie grew up in Laurens enjoying horseback riding and dancing. She graduated from Laurens High School in 1953. She then majored in mathematics at Furman University; graduating in 1956. A week after her Furman graduation she married Joseph Earl Herndon, Jr. in a ceremony led by Pastor J. Kyzar at the First Baptist Church in Laurens.
Jackie taught math at Daniel High School, Clemson, SC for the 1956-1957 school year, where she was also the advisor to the yearbook staff. Her husbands' 30 year career in the U.S. Army then led the growing family to various posts across the country (San Antonio, Texas; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Munich, Germany; Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; and Frankfurt Germany). During this time she was active in the Army Officer's Wives Club serving as President in Edgewood Arsenal, MD and Engineer Command, Frankfurt, Germany. Throughout their two tours in Germany Jackie enjoyed learning to cook the local cuisine becoming an expert in various German dishes. In 1971 the family settled into Mount Vernon, Virginia where Jackie enjoyed entertaining visitors to our nation's capital. She enjoyed watching the Washington Redskins and spending time at Chincoteague, Virginia fishing for flounder, clamming, and cooking Maryland blue crab.
Jackie returned to teaching math at Mount Vernon High School and to enlisted soldiers at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She was the class sponsor for the class of 1984 and was one of the founding members and President of the Mount Vernon Ladies Literary Society with several of her fellow teachers. They enjoyed reading and discussing literature, learning how to make baskets, painting, and trips to Chincoteague.
Upon Earl's retirement from the Army they moved to their dream home on Lake Keowee in 1987. As family and friends visited their warm home on the lake Jackie was the consummate hostess. They hosted multiple church, Sunday school, engagement, and other parties. Jackie continued her exploration of the arts through pottery in the Blue Ridge Art Association. She spent many years teaching quilting at Heirlooms and Comfort, Clemson and Central, SC. Collaborating with Anna Willis who completed the quilts; she created over 100 magnificent quilts with many friends and family receiving these as special gifts that will be treasured for years to come.
She was a member of First Baptist Church, Clemson, serving on the Church Council, as Sunday school teacher and member of the Finance committee. Thanks to the staff and volunteers of the Clemson Downs Health Care Center for their loving care and to the FBC, Clemson family and friends who have demonstrated God's love and support during the past two years of declining health.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Building Fund, First Baptist Church of Clemson, 397 College Avenue, Clemson, SC 29631.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at First Baptist Church of Clemson, with interment at a later date in Arlington, Virginia.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM until 1:45 PM prior to the service at the church.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central, which is assisting the family.