Patty Lou Herron

On March 1, 2025, Patty Lou Reagan Herron, age 85, of the Qualla Community peacefully passed away at her home. She was born in the Qualla Community and preceded in death by her parents, Herbert Lee Reagan and Ida Battle Reagan. Also preceding her in death was her loving husband of 45 years, James Therlo Herron and her son, James Randy Herron.

Mom was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She took great pride in her family's wellbeing; she and Dad were always in attendance at our activities and events. Mom could always be counted on to volunteer at activities whenever her help was needed. During our school years, neighborhood children would gather at our home to play and have fun, especially during the summer months. Mom also took great pride and pleasure in working and cultivating her flower gardens and greenhouse, where she grew multiple assortments of roses and daylilies. Mom enjoyed reading novels, usually while we were practicing our school activities. During our younger years, Mom and Dad would take us out for weekend adventures at NASCAR races, various sporting events, camping, and, of course, playing in the rivers and lakes in the region. On family vacations, Mom always insisted on visiting historical and educational sites so we would have an understanding, appreciation, and respect for these places. Mom was an avid genealogist, she traced our family history on both sides back into the early 1800’s. Later in life, Mom would babysit her grandchildren; she would read to them and teach them to count to 100 and recite the alphabet before they were old enough for kindergarten. Mom was a great woman to know and to be around. She had a heart of gold and a beautiful smile. Mom will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Mom is survived by her sons, David (Heather) Herron and Jeff Herron; a daughter, Beth Higdon; and a daughter-in-law Karen (Randy) Herron; five grandchildren; Reagan (Nathan) Miller, Lyndon Higdon, Jessica Brooks, Isaac Herron and Emma Herron; four great grandchildren, Kingston, Kaia, Koa, and Lennox. Mom is also survived by her sister Billie (William) Wike.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday March 7th in the chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 prior to the service. Burial will follow in Reagan Family Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to cancer research or to an educational scholarship. Mom was a 29 year cancer survivor.