Kathleen Reynolds Herndon

Kathleen Reynolds Herndon, daughter of Perry Freeman Reynolds and Lula Mae (Rogers) Reynolds, died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, February 22, 2009. She was born on December 29, 1915, she was 93 years old. Funeral Services will be held at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. William Camp officiating. The entombment will follow at Crest Lawn Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia. A graduate of Atlanta’s Girl’s High in the midst of the Great Depression, Kathleen declined the full merit scholarship she had won from Agnes Scott College and enrolled in a secretarial school instead becoming one of Atlanta’s earliest career women. Her first job was a private secretary to Robert Maddox, formerly a mayor of the City of Atlanta. Over the years, she held positions of increasing responsibility, including the post of Secretary/Treasurer of Peachtree Federal Savings and Loan. She married Claude E. Herndon of Atlanta on January 11, 1936. Their family of six, reared in Atlanta, includes Claudia Herndon Etheridge, now of Baltimore, MD; Robert Herndon, Stanley Herndon, and Annette Herndon all now residents of Marietta; David Herndon of Atlanta; and Holly Herndon Cochran, now of Durango, Colorado. Mr. Herndon died in 1970. All of her children survive her as well as eight beloved grandchildren, four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Kathleen’s commitment to her business career was matched by her dedication to her family. She was a skillful, sophisticated cook and hostess who opened her home to friends and family for every significant event. She was an inveterate traveler. Egypt and the Holy Land remained her passions throughout her life, though she enjoyed visits to Italy, the British Isles and other parts of Europe, Japan and China. Upon retirement, Kathleen devoted herself to reading, Bridge, her circle of friends, and to her garden. Kathleen was a member of Northside Drive Baptist Church in Atlanta for many years and, upon moving to Marietta became a member of Roswell Street Baptist Church. Kathleen Reynolds Herndon was well loved and will be greatly missed. Those who wish may make contributions to the Calvary Children’s Home, 1430 Lost Mountain Road, Powder Springs, GA 30127 in memory of Mrs. Kathleen Herndon. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Saturday at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home & Crematory in Marietta, Georgia. www.mayesward-dobbins.com