Leon Walker Herndon Sr.

1938 - 2023

Leon Walker Herndon, Sr.
December 31, 1938 - March 16, 2023
Cary, North Carolina - Leon Walker Herndon, Sr. was born December 31, 1938, the second child of the late Garland and Bertha Herndon, in Apex, N.C. He departed this life surrounded by loved ones on March 16, 2023 at his home in Cary, NC.
Leon was educated in the Chatham County, NC school system, first as a student of his mother's at Haywood Elementary, then eventually matriculating at Shaw University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1960, and subsequently attended North Carolina College (now North Carolina Central University), earning his Master's degree in Education in 1962 and his Education Administration Principal's Certification at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Leon's career in education took him throughout the state, starting as a teacher in St. Paul's, NC, where he taught Science and won a State Championship as the Head Basketball Coach. He achieved his greatest victory, however, by marrying the love of his life, Shirley Wright, in 1963.
Following his tenure at St. Paul's High School, Leon moved back to the Triangle area to become a Science teacher at Ligon High School in Raleigh. In 1968, in the newly integrated Wake County Public School System, Leon joined Enloe High School as a Science teacher, then shortly thereafter, was promoted to Assistant Principal. In 1972, he made history at Enloe by becoming the first African-American Principal of a predominately white school in the history of the county.
In 1983, Leon returned home as the Principal of Apex High School. Following a successful tenure at Apex, he returned to Raleigh as the Principal of Carroll Middle School, later retiring from the school in 2001.
Throughout his life, Leon remained a tireless servant to his community as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., an Advisory Board Member of the NC State Employees Credit Union, a Life Member of the NAACP, a board member of the White Oak Foundation and a charter member of the Capital City Sertoma Club of Raleigh where he held numerous positions with the club, most notably as an International Director of the Atlantic Region and Life Member of Sertoma, Inc., presiding over thousands of members.
Following his retirement from the Wake County Public School System, Leon joined his wife, Shirley, in founding Bright Beginnings Child Development Center, a 5 star preschool located in Cary, NC. It remains one of the premier institutions in the nation, as evidenced by the multiple visits to the school by NC Governor, Roy Cooper and a visit by the US Department of Education Secretary, Miguel Cardona. Ever the humble servant, Leon had his hands in every facet of the school from custodian to CEO, to likely his most rewarding task as head greeter to all of the children who crossed the Bright Beginnings threshold every morning.
Leon's faith remained the center of every aspect of his existence. A lifetime member of White Oak Missionary Baptist Church, Leon accepted Christ at an early age and served in a variety of roles throughout his life. His contributions to White Oak and the New Hope Association are too many to measure, but his most lasting impact will be as the Chairman of the Christian Education Committee, Budget Planning Committee, Scholarship Committee and Deacon Ministry for decades. Few things made Leon happier than attending church service and helping to lead White Oak to even greater heights.
Of all of the many hats Leon wore, the hats that undoubtedly gave him the most joy were as husband, son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and cousin. Nothing meant as much to him as his family.
Leon leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife Shirley, children: Lisa Ware (Marc), Cary, NC, Leon Jr. (Valerie), Durham, NC, and Linwood (Felicia) Cary, NC. Seven grandchildren: Brandon, Jalen Ware, Jordan Ware, Halley, Donovan, Aaron, and Austin. sister: Kathleen Herndon Lee (George), and a host of in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family and cherished friends. He will be truly missed. His legacy will live forever.
A service celebrating Leon's life will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. at White Oak Missionary Baptist Church, 1621 White Oak Church Road, Apex, NC 27523, preceded by visitation at 11:00a.m.
The family welcomes donations in Leon's memory to the White Oak Foundation, Inc.,1624 White Oak Church Road, Apex NC 27523.
Service arrangements by Albright Funeral Home, 500 S. Salem St., Apex NC 27502.