Debby Herring

Deborah Louise Herring, 72, of Hanover, PA died peacefully surrounded by her children on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC following a quick declination of health due to ALS.

Born on Thursday, May 10, 1951 in Baton Rouge, LA, she was a daughter of the late Elmer Pierce Herring and Doris Louise Bankston Herring. She was a graduate of Baker High School in Baton Rouge before graduating from her beloved Louisiana State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She devoted her career to teaching children in both the elementary and middle school grades, and held membership with Alpha Delta Kappa, the international honorary organization for women educators. In 2013, she retired from the Hanover Public School District, where she had taught at both Washington Elementary School and Hanover Middle School. Following her retirement, she spent hours volunteering at Park Hills Elementary, where she was affectionately known as MawMaw to many more students.

Debby loved her grandchildren as much as they loved her and could be found cheering loudly at almost every event that they participated in. She cheered just as passionately for her treasured LSU Tigers football team. She liked to travel with her family, get her hands dirty while gardening and whip up a good Southern gumbo if she had the time. Neil Diamond was a favorite singer of hers and curling up with a good book was a favorite pastime. She was reserved and selfless and because of those qualities, was adored by all who knew her.

Survivors include her two daughters, Lesley Ming Zinn and her husband, Jason, of Hanover and Melissa “Missy” Ming Wivell and her husband, Clinton, of Vienna, VA; four beloved grandchildren, Parker and Gracyn Zinn and Michael and Arianna Wivell; one sister, Brenda Gail Starks and her husband, Jerry, of Baton Rouge, LA; a niece, Kristin Starks and two nephews, Brandon and Ryan Starks.

The family will receive friends from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm on Sunday, February 4, 2024 at Panebaker Funeral Home, 311 Broadway, Hanover, with a memorial service to be held at 5:30 pm with Pastor Nate Crew of CityLight Church, Falls Church, VA officiating.