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Ralph McNeely Herring graciously accepted the Lord’s invitation to come home on Tuesday, May 19, 2015. "Mac" was born on June 12, 1962 in Charlotte, NC to Ralph and Alice Herring. When Mac was 2 years old, the family moved to his grandmother’s house at 735 North Main Street in Mooresville. He loved the town where his family already had deep roots. After marrying his wife Jill, he purchased the family house on Main Street and again made it his home where they raised their own two children, Nell and Van. Mac started his education in the Mooresville school system, attended The Gow School in South Wales, NY, and graduated from The Patterson School in Lenoir, NC. He earned his BA in History and Religious Studies from Guilford College in Greensboro, NC and later completed his education at CMHA in Charlotte and received an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. Mac was truly a public servant. At the time of his death, he worked as Director of Professional Relations at Catawba Regional Hospice, and served as Commissioner on the Mooresville Town Board. He had served as a town commissioner for Ward 3 since 2005. Mac gave of his time tirelessly. He headed up numerous committees, and promoted a variety of community improvements in the areas of education, transportation, recreation, history, and recycling. He was active in the greater community with Boy Scouts, a past board member of the NC branch of the International Dyslexia Society, a past president of the Sherrills Ford Rotary Club, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, served on the board of directors of the Mooresville Soup Kitchen, and was involved in numerous other community organizations. His gift for tending to the needs of others spilled over into every aspect of his life. He was often guiding others on end of life issues and stepping in to lend a hand both on and off the job to help those needing crisis guidance. Mac had an abiding love for God and First Presbyterian Church in Mooresville, where he was a lifelong member. He served his Lord and his congregation as a Deacon, a Sunday School teacher, and most notably as the pulled pork BBQ chef at the annual Camp Grier retreat. Mac was a dedicated historian. He was the caretaker of his family’s stories and traditions. Mac’s passion extended into the community, where he helped to start the Mooresville Museum, serving as its principal organizer and president. He was also a founding member of the Mooresville Historic Preservation Commission. Mac had a keen appreciation for God’s earth, and cherished spending time at his house on Lake Norman. Special memories were created by friends and family at gatherings hosted there. He also took great pleasure in gardening and canning. God, family, the people of Mooresville, and the lake were Mac’s refuge in this life - providing him strength and joy in everything he did. Mac is survived by his wife Jill Paxton Stubbs Herring, his daughter Nell McNeely Herring, and his son Van Kilpatrick Herring, all of the home. He is also survived by his father Ralph Alderman Herring, Jr., and brothers Alexander McNeely Herring and Cyrus McNeely Herring. He will be dearly missed by in-laws, nieces, nephews, and his large extended family as well. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 249 W. McLelland Ave, Mooresville, NC 28115 and/or The Mooresville Museum, 132 E Center Ave, Mooresville, NC 28115 and/or Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Rd, Newton, NC 28658. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 23 at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. David Rockness officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday from 6:00-8:00 PM at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home.

Tributes

Mac Herring

June 12, 1962 - May 19, 2015