Othelia's Garden
Othelia Smith Herring Thomas the oldest child, of Robert Smith and Pearl Hubbard Smith was born December 12, 1920. After Othelia’s Mother Pearl died, she dropped out of school at the age of 9 years old with a Third grade education to help take care of her Dad and younger siblings. Othelia was known for her deep faith in God and at the age of eleven was very active at the “Sanctified Church” known as the Wheeler Street Church Of God spreading the Word of God to others. Othelia was known locally for her talented singing, winning local awards and prizes. Othelia Smith married Shade Jackson Herring, Sr., the son of Horace and Charlotte Herring from Madison, FL. Shade was born around 1889 but no birth certificate is available. Shade’s name was originally: ShadrachMeshachAbednego Herring. When Shade became older he shortened his 1st name to “Shade” Othelia and Shade married 12/19/1943. Shade was a widow after the passing of his wife Alice Herring leaving him alone to raise 3 sons; Wesley Herring, Brooksie Herring, and Bernard Herring. After Shade’s wife passed away he moved to Jacksonville, FL., It is said that Othelia and Shade met at church. Shade was very impressed with Othelia’s singing. Shade was an established bricklayer by trade and the two married. The union of Othelia Smith and Shade Herring produced 6 children; Dorothy Herring Sibley, Shade Herring, Jr., Robert Herring, Juanita Herring Ings, Esther Herring Poitier, and Gwendolyn Herring Curry Owens. About 10 years after Shade Sr.'s death in 1964, Othelia married Will Thomas born 1900 – 1978. No children were produced through this union. Othelia passed away September 3, 1996. I asked Dorothy to give her favorite memory of her mother, Othelia. Dorothy’s favorite memory of her mother is hearing her sing the classic Black Pentecostal Church call & response song, “Power Lord”. She could feel the Power and Anointing of God. Special thanks to: Dorothy, Shade, Esther, and JaTrel
Shade & Othelia Smith Herring: Top picture was taken in 1943. Othelia was around 24 years old. Shade Sr.’s age is unknown. Next: The Herring Children in 1958 . Bottom pictures: A younger photo of Shade Herring, Sr. , Othelia with her 6 children: Dorothy, Gwen, Robert, Esther, Juanita, & Shade, Jr.
Dorothy Mae Herring Sibley is the 1st child born to Othelia & Shade Herring on 1/23/1945. Dorothy enjoyed music as a child playing the piano and listening to her favorite record, “Lonely Teardrops” by Jackie Wilson. Dorothy Herring married Wallace Jerome Sibley, Sr. born 6/30/1938 from St. Marys, GA . They married 8/23/1964. Wallace’s oldest son from a previous relationship is Vincent Jerome Raysor Sibley, born 2/25/1963 in Fernandina Beach, FL. Vincent (called Vince by our family) has two sons from his 1st marriage to Deborah Galloway Sibley. Vincent Jerome Sibley, Jr. is the oldest son born 10/31/1995. Nikita Colton Sibley is the 2nd son born 2/22/1997. Vincent Sibley, Sr. is married to Valeria Wigham Sibley and currently living in Jacksonville, FL. The union of Dorothy Herring Sibley & Wallace Sibley, Sr. produced 3 additional children. Wallace Jerome Sibley, Jr. (known as “Lil Sib”) was born 8/31/1965. Sib is currently living single in Atlanta, GA and has no children. A year later Dorothy and Wallace gave birth to their son, Matthew Elliott Sibley. Unfortunately, due to health complications Matthew died as a newborn baby. Kevin Elliott Sibley,Sr. is the 2nd child of Dorothy & Wallace, born 8/5/1972. Kevin Sibley is married to Grace Maxwell Sibley, born 7/1/1972 from the island of Kingston, Jamaica. Kevin & Grace are currently living in Jersey City, NJ and have 2 children, Kevin Elliott Sibley, Jr. born 9/21/2006 and Victoria Elizabeth Mae Sibley born, 3/18/2010 Anita Ann “Davis” Sibley is the youngest child and only daughter of Dorothy & Wallace, born 7/27/1974. Anita was adopted by the family in Tennessee at the age of 5 years old. Anita currently lives in Jacksonville, FL with her 2 daughters, ToNeyshia Anjeanay Sibley, born 4/13/1995 and her youngest daughter, Jaliyah E’lisha Herring born 6/17/2012. More family history on Wallace Sibley, Sr. can be found by clicking on the Sibley/Campbell Family Tree button.
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Shade Jackson Herring, Jr. was born April 13, 1946 to Shade & Othelia Smith Herring. The 2nd child and eldest son of this union in Jacksonville, Florida. Shade is affectionately nicknamed “Brother” by his siblings. Shade excelled well in school and earned the honor of Valedictorian at the New Stanton High School Graduation Ceremony in 1963. He also accepted the call as a Minister during his teenage years. After serving in the military branch of the Air Force he returned to Jacksonville, Fl. and later married Florence Marietta Berrian born July 11th 1945 the daughter of James Kyler Berrian and Larnell Smith Berrian from Valdosta, GA. December 11, 1965. Five children were born through this union. Norris Van Ness Herring, the oldest child of Shade & Florence Berrian Herring was born on 7/24/1967 in Jacksonville, Fl.. He married Cavalier Regina Martin Herring of Valdosta, GA.. Two sons were born from this union. Jordan Van Ness Herring and Joshua Lovett Herring. They are currently residing in Atlanta, GA. Terry Denise Herring Davis, the 2nd child and oldest daughter of Shade & Florence was born on 3/8/1969 in Jacksonville, FL. Terry Herring married Darren Davis, Sr. They have 2 sons, Darren Davis, Jr. and Cameron Davis. They are currently residing in Jacksonville, FL. Kimberly Larnell Herring Milligan born 4/19/1971 is the 3rd child of Shade & Florence. Kim was named after Florence’s mother. Kim married Howard Alfonso Milligan. They have 2 children, Howard Alfonso Milligan, Jr. and Kaylen Larnell Milligan. They are currently residing in Virginia. Stephan James Herring, Sr., the 4th child of Shade and Florence was born 3/10/1976. Stephan married Alice McClain Herring and have 2 children, Stephan, James Herring, Jr. known to his family as “ManMan” and their adopted daughter, Destiny Sanders Herring. They are currently residing in Jacksonville, FL. The 5th and youngest child of Shade & Florence is Shadrin Maurice Herring born 7/12/1985. Maurice is married Arielle Smith. They are currently living in Jacksonville, FL.
Robert Earl Herring, Sr. was born March 29, 1948 to Shade, Sr. & Othelia Smith Herring. The 3rd child and 2nd son of this union in Jacksonville, Florida. As a child Robert Earl was considered "the prankster" of the family. Robert Earl married Bessie Henderson born July 13, 1949 from Valdosta, GA, on August 25, 1968. Through the union of Robert Earl and Bessie are five children, Robert Earl Herring, Jr. born April 30, 1970. Robert, Jr. is known to our family as "Lil Robbie". On February 5, 1993, Robert, Jr. married Joy Forest born 11/13/1973 and through this marriage are two children, Raquella Janae Herring Robinson born June 25, 1994, Raquella’s oldest son is Jayden Devon Lamb born 3/2/2012. Raquella is married Thomas Robinson. Through this marriage Raquella’s youngest son, Tyler Joel Robinson was born on 5/17/2016. They are currently residing in Jacksonville, FL. Robert, Jr. and Joy’s 2nd child is Robert Earl Herring, III born February 17, 1996. Robert, III lives with his parents within the Palm Beach, FL area. Robert Earl and Bessie’s 2nd child is daughter, Robin Earlisha Herring Lee, born August 19, 1975. Robin married Romero “Antonio” Lee, May 19, 2001. Through this union were born 5 children. Robin’s oldest children are fraternal twins, son, Joshua Romero Lee and daughter Joshlyn Robin Lee born July 17, 2003. Robin and Romero’s 3rd child is daughter Jourdan Robyn Lee born February 3, 2005. Robin and Romero’s youngest children are fraternal twins as well, son, Jadon Romero Lee and his twin sister, Joelle Robbin Lee. Their birthdays are February 17, 2011. Robin and her family live within the Jacksonville, FL area. The third child of Robert Earl and Bessie is their 2nd daughter Renata Earlisa Herring Floyd Franck. Renata’s birthdate is November 7, 1979. Renata married Kirk Floyd in June 2005. There are 3 children though this relationship and union. Renata’s oldest daughter is Ramiah Elise Herring, born August 16, 2000. Renata’s 2nd child is son, Kaleb William Floyd born December 22, 2004. Daughter, Ryleigh Simone Floyd is Renata’s 3rd child. Ryleigh was born January 9, 2007. Renata married Shadrac “Chad” Franck on December 17,2011. Through this union are two children, Reagan Christina Franck born October 17,2013. Renata and Chad’s youngest child is daughter, Reign Sade Franck was born February 13, 2015. Renata and her family are living happily in Jacksonville, FL. The 4th child of Robert Earl and Bessie is Robretta Earlette Herring Campbell born May 27, 1982. Robretta is known as “Brett” amongst the family. Brett married Alfonso Campbell, III on August 15, 2009. Through the union of Brett and Alfonso are three daughters, Addisyn Bethany Campbell born June 23, 2012. Brett’s 2nd daughter is Aleyse Caelyn Campbell. Aleyse’s birthday is November 15, 2013. The youngest daughter of Brett and Alfonso is Avery Rose Campbell born September 30, 2015. Brett and her family are currently residing within the Jacksonville, FL area. The 5th and youngest child of Robert Earl and Bessie, is their 4th daughter, Rachael Earlaine Herring Flash. Rachael’s birthdate is March 22, 1994. Rachael and her husband Christopher Flash currently living in Orlando, FL.
Juanita Marie Herring Ings is the 4th child of Othelia & Shade Herring, born 11/15/1949 in Jacksonville, FL. Juanita showed exceptional learning skills as a child and was permitted to register in 1st grade early along with her older brother Robert. Juanita married James Earl Ings, born 4/19/1949 from Orlando, FL. Juanita relocated to Orlando and lived happily there as well in Atlanta, GA before returning to Jacksonville. Juanita & James adopted Jaimie Elizabeth Ings Long as a newborn, born 12/31/1984. Jaimie’s daughter Jaida Elise Ings was born 1/17/2006. Jaimie married Aubrey Long and through this union Jaimie’s 2nd child, Jackson Deshawn Long, born 8/2/2008. Jaimie and her children are currently living in Jacksonville, FL
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Esther Laverne Herring Poitier born 11/26/1951 is the 5th child of Shade & Othelia. As a teenager Esther enjoyed listening to popular music and dancing with her friends at the “Sugar Shack” shop in the neighborhood. Esther married Gotrel Anthony “Tony” Poitier,Sr, born 2/19/1947 on 7/23/1982 and remarried again several years later. Gotrel’s parents are Bishop Harcourt Poitier & Celistine Tynes Poitier. Gotrel is the 10th child of seventeen children. (8 boys and 9 girls) Ja’Trel Antone Poitier Dixon is the oldest child of Esther and Tony born 4/8/1983. JaTrel married Leotis Dixon, Jr. on 5/9/2009. And with this marriage union was the birth of their daughter Leah Antone’ Dixon born 10/23/15. JaTrel and her family are currently residing in Suffolk, VA.. Gotrel, ‘Tony’ Poitier, II is the 2nd child of Esther and Tony. Born 11/22/1984. Gotrel, II “Lil Tony” currently lives in Jacksonville. The youngest child of Esther and Tony is their adopted son Jon Elliott Christopher Bright Poitier born 2/18/1993. Jon has 1 biological sister, Anastacia “Tasha” Lester. Jon currently resides near Tallahassee, Florida.
Gwendolyn Louise Herring Curry Owens is the youngest and 6th child of Othelia & Shade Herring. Gwen was born 3/28/1954 in Jacksonville, FL. Gwen enjoyed playing “Monopoly” and “Old Maid” with her family as a child. Gwen’s oldest child is Iris Niccole Curry Owens born 3/20/1978 from her 1st marriage to William “Bill” Curry. Iris’s last name has legally been changed to Owens and she is currently living in Atlanta, GA. Gwen married Ulysses Samuel “Bim” Owens, Sr. from Helena, AK born 9/3/1951. They wedded on 11/20/1981. Through this union Gwen’s 2nd child, Ulysses Samuel Owens, Jr. was born on 12/6/1982. Ulysses, Jr also known to the family as “Lil Bim” has a son, Kyler Saint Owens, born 9/27/21. He and his son are currently residing in Jacksonville, FL.