Rita Jean Dyal Herrin

Mrs. Rita Jean Dyal Herrin, 65, of Waycross, passed away Sunday (October 12, 2025) at her residence following an extended illness.
She was born in Waycross to the late Daniel Clarence Dyal and Mary Sally Hamilton Dyal. A 1978 graduate of Waycross High School, Rita worked for many years in the dental field for Dr. Donald Hardee in Greenville, NC. However, her greatest joy and pride came from being a devoted mother and homemaker.
Rita was a member of Williams Chapel Baptist Church and was also active at Sweat Memorial Baptist Church. Throughout her life, she was deeply involved in church ministry-teaching, singing, leading music, and hosting Bible studies. She loved thrifting and decorating her home with unique and beautiful finds. A talented writer, she authored poems, stories, and novels, and even published her own children's book.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Stone, a brother, Ronnie Dyal; and her husband's parents, Jack and Laverne Herrin.
She is survived by her loving husband, Jeff Herrin of Waycross; three children, Benjy Herrin (Amanda) of Bruce, MS, Sally Huffman (Jason) of New Bern, NC, and Lindsay Ervin (Stewart) of Goldsboro, NC; eight grandchildren, Addie Herrin, Jack Herrin, Nick Huffman, Colby Ervin, Brady Ervin, Jeff Ervin, Charles Ervin, and Emory Ervin; six siblings, Rachel Valeria Dyal of Blackshear, Catherine Chaney (Ed) of Blackshear, Clarice Stolte (Jack) of Manor, Faye Davis (Charles) of Dublin, Carol Dyal (Donna) of Sandstone, VA, and Mary Strickland (Freddy) of Blackshear; two brothers-in-law, Johnny Stone of Richmond Hill and Joey Herrin (Donna) of Waresboro; a sister-in-law, Lisa Dyal of Blackshear; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday (October 14, 2025) at Sweat Memorial Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday. A graveside service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Kettle Creek Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Rita would have loved for those wishing to contribute to instead help someone they personally know who is battling cancer.