Clovis Marie Herring

On Tuesday, November 30, 2021, our dear, energetic, Clovis Marie Herring, of Frisco, Texas, age ninety, entered into eternal rest with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Clovis was born on September 5, 1931, in Houston, Harris County, Texas, to Charles Burton and Jessie Price Byars. She was the third child and first female in an extended family with many cousins. Being the only girl among the boys, she was a "tomboy," and told many stories about growing up in the north side of Houston. Her parents purchased one acre of land and her father built the childhood home.

Clovis attended Berry Elementary, Burbank Junior High and Sam Houston High schools. At the age of fourteen, she met her future husband of sixty-two years, the late Jimmy Mack Herring, and at the same time, was blessed with a sister, Judith Byars Wilson. She always referred to those events as "a double blessing."

On May 23, 1948, Clovis and Jimmy were married in Houston, Texas. They were very young and faced many challenges during the early years as their family grew. They suffered the loss of their first child, Karen Marie, born on January 16, 1949, and died on January 29, 1949, but were then blessed with a son, Danny Michael, born July 3, 1951, followed by a daughter, Nancy Kathleen, born October 28, 1954. During those years, both Clovis and Jimmy worked in different professions and in 1978, they bought land in Leon County, Texas, and built a home that held many wonderful memories of their children, grandchildren and many friends. Clovis' journal included a phrase, "Our grandchildren were special to both of us."

During their years in Leon County, the couple started an antique business and opened shops in both Centerville, and Buffalo. They traveled the country in search of antique glass, furniture, and other items. At the same time, Clovis began the task of learning genealogy. She and several friends made trips to various court houses, cemeteries, and libraries. She documented her work and did so before the internet was formed. Her accomplishments in family history include:

The organizing President of the United Daughters of the Confederacy/Samuel Raymond Burroughs Chapter 2445.

Charter Member of the Leon County Genealogical Society and served as President, Recording Secretary, Publicity Chairman & Editor of the Leon County Dispatch.

Co-chairman of "The History of Leon County Texas, Vol. 1, 1986.

Chairman of the publishing committee for "1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880, Census Records", "The Leon County. Collections, Vol. 1,2,3."

The First Baptist Church of Buffalo was home to both Clovis and Jimmy where they loved working with the Puppeteers and watching the children who were in that program grow up. As part of the literacy program, she also enjoyed reading to the children at the different schools.

Clovis is preceded in death by her father, Charles Burton Byars; her mother, Jessie Mae Price Byars; a brother, Charles Burton Byars, Jr.; a brother, Kenneth Harland Byars; a daughter, Karen Marie Herring; a son, Danny Michael Herring; and a daughter, Nancy Kathleen Herring Preiska.

She is survived by her sister, Judith Lynnell Byars Wilson; grandsons, Nicolas Preiska, Zachary Preiska and others. She is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will begin at 12 noon, Monday, December 6, 2021 with graveside services following at 1 P.M., at the Parker Cemetery in the Flo Community and are under the direction of Walters' Buffalo Funeral Home, Buffalo, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to:
Texas State Genealogical Society
2028 E. Ben White Blvd. #240-2700
Austin, Texas 78741