Hyllie Ann Herron

On her 100th birthday, when asked her secret to living a long life, Hyllie Herron, in her witty and thoughtful way, said: “First, I have loved the Lord with all my heart, and want everyone else to do the same. Second, if you can’t say something nice about someone, just keep quiet. Third, I ate sausage, eggs and biscuits each morning.” And finally, with a twinkle in her eye and her wonderful sense of humor, she said, “And, I never exercised a day of my life!” On Sunday, January 22nd, at the age of 102, Hyllie Ann Herron went home to be with the Lord. She was a woman of great depth, wisdom and faith, and she will be missed deeply and remembered fondly by her friends and family. “My mother touched so many people’s lives with her brilliant common sense, her contagious positive attitude and her deep knowledge of the Bible and its applicability to our lives,” said her son Orley R. Herron, Jr. “She instilled in each of us a deep commitment to family and the value of working hard towards our ambitions and opportunities, which she embraced with great enthusiasm.”Hyllie Ann Herron, born Hyllie Ann Weaver, was raised in Kentucky, where she met and married Orley R. Herron, Sr. After running a business together, they pursued new business opportunities which, in the mid 1930’s, led them to New Philadelphia, Ohio. Hyllie was a great businesswoman and artist, but her passion was to teach, whether in the public school system or in Sunday School at both the First Baptist Church and the First Christian Church in New Philadelphia. She obtained her Bachelor of Education degree in the 1960s from Malone College in Ohio. She was a lifelong learner, evidenced early on in family dinner conversations. “We would discuss everything from politics to business to heaven,” said Orley. “Her discerning understanding of the world and our place in it has given our entire family–even her great grandchildren– an eternal perspective that transcends the day-to-day hassles and challenges of life.” Hyllie’s Irish heritage gave her a wonderful appreciation for music and, as one of nine children, a devoted commitment to family. She was known throughout the community as an authentic, classy woman, always elegant and kind to those around her. On September 14, 2003, her 100th birthday, it was declared “Hyllie Herron Day” by the distinguished mayor of New Philadelphia. Hundreds came to celebrate this milestone day, and in her charming style, she remembered something special about each person. Her daughter Ann Winters of Louisville, Kentucky, recalled that her mom “never said a bad word about anyone, and if others did, she would complete the phrase with a positive word about that person.” Jo Herron, the youngest of her four children, said “She walked the talk and instilled in us that the Bible, above everything else, was our guidebook for living. She always smiled and was the bright light and cornerstone of our lives.” Her oldest child Niles Herron, of California, remembered her “clarity of purpose and willingness to always put others first” as part of her legacy that will carry on in future generations.Hyllie Herron was preceded in death by her husband Orley R. Herron, Sr. and seven of her siblings. Survivors include her sister Julia Bea McWhorter, her four children– Niles, Orley, Ann and Jo, and her 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held Friday, January 27, 2006 in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home at New Philadelphia from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home Saturday beginning at 10:30 a.m. with Hyllie’s son, Dr. Orley R. Herron, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Burial Park. Family and friends are invited back to the Geib Family Center, located adjacent to the funeral home, where a luncheon will be hosted by Hyllie’s family.The family requests memorial contributions be made in Hyllie’s memory to the First Baptist Church, 878 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663; First Christian Church, 104 3rd NW New Philadelphia, OH 44663; The Quaker Foundation, 343 Ray Ave NW New Philadelphia, OH 44663; and The Quaker Club, 343 Ray Ave NW New Philadelphia, OH 44663.