Mrs. Herring was born in Bakersfield, in 1908, to William H. and Elizabeth Hall.

When she was a year-old, her family moved to Allensworth, the Tulare County town established by African Americans. Mrs. Herring said her father wanted her to grow up in an environment free of racial prejudice. The Hall family is considered the largest pioneering family to settle in Allensworth.

According to her many offspring, Herring inherited her parents' love and dedication to family, as well as their love of education.

She has five children living; Ernestine, Elwood, Josephine, Dorothy and Annette and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mrs. Herring was a Head Start teacher in Shafter until her retirement.

At her recent birthday celebration, she was awarded a Congressional citation for life-long contributions to Kern County.