For twelve and one half years the citizens, the parents and school children of Brantley County in Georgia were most fortunate in having the late Herschel Wendell Herrin as their Superintendent of Schools.
Extracted from "Georgia's Coastal Plain, A History;" Published by Lewis Historical Publishing Co, Inc., New York and West Palm Beach
For twelve and one half years the citizens, the parents and school children of Brantley County in Georgia were most fortunate in having the late Herschel Wendell Herrin as their Superintendent of Schools. A dedicated career teacher and administrator, he came to this post after years of experience as teacher and principal, as a former soldier in the armed forces of his country, a graduate of Georgia Southern College and a constant student of principles and methods of the field of public education. Mr. Herrin had high ideals and many ideas for improvement of the county schools, and he was able to make many of them a reality during his years of devoted service to the students and parents of Brantley County.
He was a native of this area, having been born in Raybon on March 23, 1916. The subject's parents also came from there, and the family is an old one in this section of Georgia. His father William Henry Herrin, was born in Nahunta on June 18, 1875, and passed away on August 4, 1949. His wife, the subject's mother, Mamie (Highsmith) Herrin, was born there on June 19, 1881, and died August 3, 1951. Herschel Wendell Herrin grew up in the Raybon area and was familiar with much of Brantley County as a boy. He attended the public schools of this town and county from first elementary grades through high school, a student in the same schools he eventually headed as superintendent. His graduation from high school was in Nahunta with the Class of 1935. Mr. Herrin had plans in which a college education was important and his studies reflected this attitude. He taught before taking his degree and also served in the Army of the United States prior to that event. Our subject was graduated from Georgia Southern College as a member of the Class of 1945 with a major in Education. He continued with graduate studies almost up to the time of his death, studying part time at the University of Georgia to receive an advanced degree in Education. Like any true teacher and administrator, he never really ceased to be a student.
For five years after graduation Mr. Herrin taught in elementary and junior high schools of Brantley County. His administrative ability was soon recognized and he served as principal of Hortense, Hickox, Alapaha, and Surrency High Schools before being named Superintendent of Brantley County Schools in 1948. It was on July 7, 1941, that he enlisted in the United States Army. He took basic training at Camp Wheeler before the nation was suddenly projected into the global conflict as a combatant with the bombs that fell on Pearl Harbor late in 1941. Mr. Herrin graduated from non-commissioned officers school and attended officers candidate school. He studied chemical warfare at Edgewood Arsenal, and became a specialist in that branch of the service. On July 13, 1943, he was separated from the service and received an honorable discharge. He soon returned to college and completed the requirements for his degree, entering the Georgia State School System as a qualified teacher. He was assigned to the same school he had attended as a student in Brantley County some years before. Five years of teaching experience qualified him as a principal of high schools in the schools named above. In 1948 he assumed the responsibilities of being Superintendent of Brantley County Schools.
Mr. Herrin was active in civic and community affairs in others ways also. He was president of the Lions Club and a past commander of the American Legion. He was chairman for one year of the Easter Seals and was instrumental in putting over several annual Polio Fund Drives. The subject served as secretary-treasurer of the Brantley County School Board, and as a director of the School Superintendents Association. Memberships included the American Red Cross, the Heart Fund Drive, Parent-Teachers Association, and the Council of Boy Scouts of America. His church was the Primitive Baptist.
On December 23, 1945, Herschel Wendell Herrin was united in marriage with Oma Lee Branch, daughter of John Iverson and Beatrice (Strickland) Branch. Mrs. Herrin was born on March 9, 1924, Glennville in this state. She served as president of the Garden Club's local chapter, as secretary of the Associated Garden Clubs of Southeast Georgia, and as a member of the Parent-Teachers Association. Mrs. Herrin is also active in Primitive Baptist Church. Three children were born of this union: 1. Beatrice Lynn was born October 14, 1946. 2. Herschel Wendell, Jr., was born May 22, 1948. 3. Laura Elizabeth was born on July 22, 1950.
This distinguished career in public education came to an end with the death of Herschel Wendell Herrin on February 13, 1961. His work lives in the hearts and minds of a generation of students.
FAMILY SKETCH SUBMITTED TO BRANTLEY CO. HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Some Duplications)
Herschel was the sixth son of William Henry and Mamie Elizabeth Highsmith Herrin. He was born in Wayne, now Brantley County, Georgia on March 23, 1916. He graduated from Nahunta High School with the Class of 1935 and started teaching school before getting his degree from Georgia Southern College as a member of the class of 1945.
He continued with his education, studying part time for an advanced degree in Education at the University of Georgia, almost up to the time of his death.
On July 7, 1941, he enlisted in the Army. His basic training was at Camp Wheeler. He graduated from non-commissioned officers school and attended officers candidate school. He studied chemical warfare at Edgewood Arsenal and became a specialist in that branch of the service. On July 13, 1943, he was separated from the service with an honorable discharge.
He soon returned to college and completed his requirement for a degree. He became a teacher, and served as principal of Hortense, Hickox, Alapaha, and Surrency, before becoming superintendent of Brantley County Schools in 1948. He served at superintendent of Brantley County Schools until 1960.
He was active in civic and community affairs, serving as president of the Lions Club, a past commander of the American Legion, chairman for one year of the Easter Seals, and was instrumental in putting over several Polio Fund drives. He served as secretary-treasurer of Brantley County School Board and as a director of the School Superintendents Association. He was a member of the American Red Cross, the Heart Fund Drive, Parent-Teacher Association, and the Council of Boy Scouts of America. His church affiliation was Primitive Baptist.
On December 23, 1945, he married Oma Lee Branch, daughter of John Iverson and Beatrice (Strickland) Branch of Riceboro, Georgia. They had three children, Beatrice Lynn, born Oct 14, 1946, Herschel Wendell, Jr., born May 22, 1948, and Laura Elizabeth, born June 22, 1950. Lynn married Ken Asbury and they had one child, Ken Asbury, II. They are now divorced. Wendell married Dorothy Gail Riggins and they had two children, Herschel Wendell, III, (Tripp), and Clayton Bradford (Brad). Wendell and Gail divorced and he married Rene Townsend. Wendell died June 28, 1998. Beth married Terry Johnson and they have one daughter, Pattie. Beth and Terry live at Hinesville, GA. Lee (Branch) Herrin is retired and lives at Crescent City, Florida. She also maintains a home at Nahunta.
Submitted to Brantley County Historical Society, by Jerry Van Herrin