Horace Herndon

HORACE EUGENE HERNDON, SR. 1923-2007 "Absent from the body, present with the Lord" Horace E. Herndon, Sr. age 84 of Nokesville, Virginia went to his Heavenly Home Friday, December 14, 2007. He passed away at Prince William Hospital in Manassas, Virginia. Mr. Herndon was born August 25, 1923 in Nokesville, Virginia and was the son of the late Van Rhine Herndon, Sr. and Effie Mae (Davis) Herndon. Mr. Herndon was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a hard worker and good provider who loved being with his family. He was kind to everyone he met and never met a stranger. He was very involved with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed attending their sports, dance and music activities. He also enjoyed his role as a baseball coach. Born and raised on the family farm in Nokesville, Horace worked and contributed to the livelihood of his family. At the age of twenty-two, he traveled to Florida, where he met the love of his life, Ruby. After a short and unique romance, they were married on October 24, 1945. After a short time back in Virginia at the family farm, the newlyweds moved to Georgia, where they lived and started their family. In 1951 they returned to the family farm in Nokesville. In 1958, Horace, Ruby, and their family moved a short distance from the farm. Horace was self-employed as a land clearing contractor until he retired in the late 1990's. Survivors include his devoted wife of 62 years, Ruby Skinner Herndon; four sons, Horace E. Herndon, Jr. and his wife, Joy of Warrenton, Virginia, Jerry H. Herndon and his wife, Ann of Manassas, Virginia, Loyad G. Herndon and his wife, Carolyn of Nokesville, Virginia and George L. Herndon and his wife, Patty of Bealeton, Virginia; two daughters, Joyce B. Compton and her husband, Claude of Aldie, Virginia and Karen M. Barrett and her husband Michael of Haymarket, Virginia. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, Tom Compton, Tim Compton, Jill Compton, Trey Compton, Nathaniel Barrett, Zachary Barrett, Michala Barrett, Trevor Herndon, Katie Herndon, Tara Herndon, Matt Heisler and Jason Heisler and thirteen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Virginia Kidd of Nokesville, Virginia and Lorene Thompson of Florida; and three brothers, Robert Herndon of Stuarts Draft, Virginia, Jerry Herndon of West Virginia and Stewart Herndon of Florida and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by a sister, Naomi Richey and a brother, Van Rhine Herndon, Jr. Funeral services were held at Victory Baptist Church in Nokesville, Virginia with Pastor Clinton E. Owens officiating on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 1:00 P.M. The service was a beautiful tribute to a very special man who will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Burial followed at Cannon Branch Cemetery in Manassas, Virginia. The family requests expressions of sympathy be made in the form of contributions to the American Heart Association in memory of Horace E. Herndon, Sr. Condolences may be sent to www.piercefh.com.

Horace Herndon

August 25, 1923 - December 14, 2007