Carolyn Sue Herndon

On the early morning of June 12th, 2025, as the clouds broke and soft hues of pink, yellow, and blue sunlight filled the room, our beloved Mom/Grandma Carolyn Sue "Martin" Herndon passed away peacefully at the age of 80, surrounded by her loving family.

Carolyn Sue Herndon was born on September 14th, 1944, at Saint Mary's Hospital in Emporia, Kansas, to Albert Floyd Martin and Genevieve Mary Eliza (Hughes) Martin. In 1946, she became a proud big sister to James "Jim" Albert Martin, completing their family of four.

Carolyn graduated from Emporia High School with the class of 1962. Shortly after, in 1962, she met and married her former husband, Arvol Eugene Herndon (Deceased), in Miami, Oklahoma. Carolyn joined Arvol in his travels after he enlisted in the United States Army. For the next 30 years, she embraced her role as a military spouse, homemaker, and mother, living in various locations including Okinawa, Japan; Redstone Arsenal, Alabama; Fort Hood, Texas; and their final duty station, Fort Riley, Kansas.

During this time Carolyn was a devoted mother to her four children: Roxann "Herndon" Downs (born in 1964), Tammy S. "Herndon" Halverstadt (born in 1966) and her husband Roger Halverstadt, William "Willie" A. Herndon (born in 1976) and his partner Ashley Stubbs, and Jennifer L. Herndon-Pearson (born in 1978) and her partner Craig Hoyt. Carolyn also lovingly raised her grandchildren, Robert "Bobby" McClelland and wife Carissa McClelland and Gavin H. Herndon, as her own.

Miss Carolyn's greatest dream in life was to be a mother and grandmother. To anyone who came to her doorstep, she offered a warm hug and the sweetest smile, embodying her belief to "treat others how you would want to be treated." Her nurturing spirit truly made her the feeling of "Home" for so many. She was affectionately known by many names including Ma, Mama, Nanoo, gma, granny, gram, Oma, Mooma, Mumsie and even "grey-haired ol' lady," but to all who knew her, she was simply Mom or Grandma.

Her dream fulfilled she is survived by her wild bunch of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who always kept her on her toesand to whom she loved with all her heart: Layla L. Hayes and son, Riley Shannon, of Lawrence, KS; Jessica & Willie Scott, and children, Jayden Johnson, Avarie Scott, Kyree Scott, and Gabriel Mahone, of Clarksville, TN; Robert "Bobby" and Carissa McClelland of Allen, KS; Candace Mahone of Hopkinsville, KY; Darrin & Lauren Lupton, and children, Sterling & Shepard Lupton, of Fort Worth, TX; Tyler Lupton & Kaytlynne Gregory of Burleson, TX; Michael G. Pearson III, U.S. Army, Vilseck, Germany; Gavin H. Herndon of Emporia, KS; Taylor S.F. Pearson of Kechi, KS; Colton Herndon-Farley of Emporia, KS; Camren F. Pearson & Derrick Barnett, and their daughter, Aaliyah F.R. Barnett, of Emporia, KS; Kanyon R. Pearson, Emporia, KS; Calee J. & Nolan A.Young and their son, Gregory D.A. Young, of Allen, KS; Spenser W. Hoyt of Emporia, KS; Connor W. Hoyt of Emporia, KS; and Jocee R. Hoyt of Kechi, KS.

Carolyn began her career as a Bus Driver for USD 253 Emporia Transportation in the late 1970s to early 1980s. She then moved her family to "Manhattan, Kansas" and continued as a Bus Driver for USD 383 Manhattan-Junction City throughout the remainder of the 1980s.

After that, Carolyn started her own daycare in St. George, Kansas. For seven years, she truly enjoyed working with the daycare children and was grateful for the opportunity to care for her own grandchildren during this time.

In 1996, Carolyn returned to Emporia and rejoined her colleagues at USD 253 Emporia Transportation as a Country Route Driver. She eventually transitioned into a Disability Route Driver position, which she held until her retirement on May 15, 2019. Carolyn loved her job of 25 years, the "work family" she was a part of, and the school children she had the privilege to drive for. She often met people who recognized and greeted her in public, a testament to the positive impact she had on many.

Also surviving is her sister-in-law, Patricia Martin, and her daughters, Stacy Cline and Nicole Anderson, along with many cherished great-nieces and nephews of Springfield, MO.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, her only brother, James Albert Martin, and her aunt, Patsy Faye Wells (her father's only sister).

Carolyn was baptized into the Lutheran Church by Pastor Adam Reichart, along with 12 other cherished family members. This event gave her joyful emotions and pride seeing children and grandchildren accompanying her on the journey of welcoming the Lord Savior Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 31:25: "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."

Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, June 20th, 2025, at Faith Lutheran Church in Emporia, KS, with a private family burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Emporia, KS. The family will receive friends at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home in Emporia on Thursday, June 19th, 2025, from 6:00 P.M. until 7:30 P.M. Memorial contributions in Carolyn's memory may be made to Hand In Hand Hospice or Faith Lutheran Church, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.