Sherri Humphries Herndon

Sherri Humphries Herndon, 75, our beloved wife, mother, Nana, and friend found peace and freedom from pain on May 1, 2023. She passed away surrounded by her loved ones at her home in Durham, NC. Sherri was born May 19, 1947, in Durham, NC to the late Coy Neal Humphries and Eugina Atwater Humphries. She retired from the Biology Department at Duke University in January 2010, after 43 years of service as Assistant Curator of the Vascular Herbarium. Sherri’s expertise in mounting and accounting for thousands of plant species was recognized by her peers and universities nationwide.

Sherri was a former member of Temple Baptist Church. She attended Durham City Schools and graduated high school from Durham Technical Institute.

For over a decade, Sherri suffered from two gradually debilitating illnesses, Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s. She fought the effects of these diseases until the very end. In the days before her death, she was determined to live another year so she could watch her two grandsons graduate from college. She will be there in spirit and will live on through the fond memories held by family and friends.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Alphus Herndon Jr., son Tommy Herndon (Cynthia), daughter Susan Caceres (Stephan), grandsons Jarrett Herndon and Jeremy Caceres, sister-in-law Edna H Smith (Tommy), step granddaughters Melissa Caceres and Katelyn Smith, sister Bonnie Kissell (Rouse), nieces Angela Nathaniel (Ron) and Jill Hunter (Ian) and their children and Morris her beloved furbaby.

A graveside service will be held May 13 at 12 o’clock in Maplewood Cemetery, Sect 2, Durham, NC, conducted by Chaplain Steve Paschall. Visitation will be at 11 o’clock.

The family expresses their sincere appreciation to Transitions Hospice Care of Raleigh for her care and compassion during the final weeks. We are also grateful for five dedicated caregivers who assisted the family during the past year. Thank you, Clara, Rose, Kia, Nube and Honeychild.

Memorial donations may be made to The Animal Protection Society of Durham, 2117 S. Club Blvd, Durham, NC 27704; Transitions Hospice Care of Raleigh, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607; or a charity of your choice.