Peggy Ruth Nichols Herndon

April 27, 1939 - March 4, 2022

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Peggy Ruth Nichols Herndon. We find comfort and peace in the knowledge that she is now home and free from the confines of the Dementia that slowly robbed her of her great intellect, relationships and most of all, her precious memories. Mom was born in Graceville, Florida on April 27, 1939. She was the seventh child of the nine children born to Gladys and Colie Nichols. She graduated valedictorian of her 1957 senior class at Sneads High School then obtained her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Secondary Education from Florida State University. Mom had a lifelong passion for education which was exemplified by her 40-year teaching career with the Leon County and Okaloosa County school systems. Mom loved her students and always emphasized the importance of education. Mom derived her greatest joy from her family which she dearly loved. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Fletcher James Herndon Jr. (Sonny) for 54 years until his death in 2013. They had three children (Fletcher James, Margaret Kim and Amy Elizabeth), four grandchildren (Megan, Lina Blake, Clifton, and Elizabeth) and four great-grandchildren (Sofia, Henry, Brody and Maggie James). Mom’s brothers and sisters (Martha Frances, Reba, Nick, Annette, Colie Jr, Shirley, Diane and Rex) were not just her siblings but her best friends with whom she kept in constant contact until her final few days. We imagine her heavenly reunions to be glorious and… loud! Our southern mother had many great loves including gardening, Leon High School, the Florida State Seminoles and the beach, specifically St. George Island, Florida. She spent numerous summers, weekends, and holidays at our St. George home for more than 50 years. There, she cooked great meals, read many books, collected seashells, built sandcastles and endlessly entertained family and friends. We are sure mom’s heavenly reunions are taking place along a beautiful beach which will appropriately be her final resting place. The family will gather privately at a later date. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Herndon family with their arrangements.