Vernelle Josephine Herrin

Vernelle Josephine Blevins Herrin, 85, passed away at Citizens Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Frederick, MD on July 16, 2016, after a short illness. Vernelle was born in Statesville on October 31, 1930, the daughter of Joshua and Pansy Elledge Blevins. Vernelle graduated from Statesville High School, and from Mitchell College. She worked part-time at J.C. Penney's while a student, and enjoyed reminding her family that she always earned the extra monthly bonus for selling more shoes that required. While serving as church secretary at Front Street Baptist Church in Statesville, she met Rev. Cecil Herrin, and they married on June 19, 1953. Music was always part of Vernelle's life. She started playing piano at age four (on the same piano on which her father hid to play hide-and-seek with Vernelle and her friends). She sang in her high school, college, and church choirs, and she played the organ and piano throughout her ministry with her husband. She particularly enjoyed teaching piano to hundreds of students. Vernelle served alongside her husband Cecil at Beulah Baptist Church in Statesville, Gethsemane Baptist Church in Richlands, VA, Faith Baptist Church in Faith, NC, and Taylor Springs Baptist Church in Taylor Springs, NC. In retirement in Statesville, Vernelle was active with the senior adult group at First Baptist Church, with AARP, with the Council on Aging, and in not behaving herself with her dear friend Mildred Elliott. Vernelle was perpetually happy, funny, loving, and kind, and she brought out the best in everyone around her. She will be missed by many. Vernelle was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, and is survived by a son, Roger Herrin, of Seattle, WA, a son and daughter-in-law, Dean Herrin and Sarah Heald, of Frederick, MD, and by her beloved granddaughter, Emma Herrin, of Baltimore, MD. The family will receive friends at Nicholson Funeral Home on Friday, July 22, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. After a private burial service, the funeral will be held at First Baptist Church of Statesville, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 23. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.