Joseph Lee Herring

1943 - 2025

Joseph Lee Herring, age 81, of Savannah, Georgia, passed away April 21, 2025. Born September 15, 1943, in Lumberton, North Carolina, to Joseph Franklin and Fannie Mae Herring, nee Dean. Joseph's life was marked by his love and dedication to his wife of 48 years, Lonna, and his family.

Joe, a graduate of Littlefield High School, excelled in football, baseball, and basketball, and received several college athletic scholarship offers. He played semi-pro baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies until suffering a hand injury.

Joe was a dashing figure with a huge appetite for life, and had unlimited self-confidence and drive. So...having no further formal education and an ended baseball career, but possessing a brilliant mind, strong work ethic, unlimited self-confidence, from a humble beginning, he started in sales (door to door), better known as a traveling salesman or "rolling stone". He sold home goods, vacuum cleaners, pots & pans, books, mops, and he also did demonstrations. He never learned to mop, although his granddaughter, Morgan, tried to teach him many times. Real estate was his next step toward insurance sales. These experiences helped Joe refine his skills and helped pave the way for a lifelong dedication to building his company, J. L. Herring & Associates, from which he chose never to retire. He was an innovator in the insurance business and sold products across the country. He received numerous professional honors and awards in the insurance community. With such a brilliant mind, ambition, and insatiable work ethic, his business grew to become his legacy.

Joe was a true outdoorsman who loved deer hunting, quail, dove & grouse hunting, as well as fresh and saltwater fishing. His first real boat was a 24-foot Grady White he named "Lonna's Diamond". Many a fish were caught and many stories were told if you were fortunate to fish on "Lonna's Diamond". He was an avid reader and lived life to the fullest, with many adventures.

Savannah was Joe's home for over 50 years; a life beautifully lived and remembered by his generosity, fierce competitiveness, confidence, and ambition. His quick-witted humor, laughter, warmth and love will be cherished in memories and stories by family and friends long after Joe is gone.

Joseph's legacy is carried on by his loving wife, Lonna P. Herring, nee Davis; his daughter, Nicolle S. Coleman, nee Herring, and son-in-law Douglas M. Coleman; and his four grandchildren, Morgan Coleman, Joseph Coleman, Thomas Coleman and Walker Wilkins, who all loved their "Poppie"; his sister Kathy Walters (Terry) of Sunset Beach NC; brothers-in-law William (Billy) Lucas (Julie Getty) of Richmond Hill, and Olin Lucas of Statesboro; and many nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Lee Wilkins, parents Joseph and Fannie Mae Herring; his brother, James Herring; and sisters Brenda Scoggins and Nancy Starnes.

Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 6 pm to 8 pm, as well as one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 11 am. Visitation and service will be at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, 7200 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, GA 31406. Burial will follow in Greenwich Cemetery, 330 Greenwich Road, Savannah, GA.

A life beautifully lived deserves to be remembered.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Joseph's memory to the J. L. Lewis Cancer Center in Savannah, the American Heart Association, or the Alzheimer's Association.