Herndon, Patsy Hathaway Retired veteran elementary principal and classroom teacher, passed away Thursday, June 26, 2008, at East Texas Regional Medical Center, Tyler, after a brief illness. Beloved wife of John P. Herndon and mother of David and Daniel Herndon, Pat Herndon retired in 2003 after a distinguished career with the Carrollton -Farmers Branch ISD. Most recently, she had been principal for 14 years at Central Elementary and Intermediate School , where she and a devoted faculty led the campus to achieve Recognized status among Texas public schools . Mrs. Herndon was born February 9, 1942, a daughter of Jack Raymond and Mary B. Hathaway. She was educated in Dallas Public Schools , graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1960. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education from William Jennings Bryan College in 1964 and a Master's Degree in Education from the University of North Texas in 1967. Mrs. Herndon modeled a successful approach to fostering student achievement throughout her career. Her optimism and caring, nurturing, regard for everyone, especially her family, friends, students and fellow educators, was exceptional and, in some important ways, quite measurable. At the beginning of her second year as principal, she told her faculty that their students "will be recognized because we believe in their ability and because we are going to show them that we truly believe in their ability." That year the school advanced from Accepted to Recognized status and remained a Recognized School throughout her tenure as principal. Farmers Branch City Council proclaimed her retirement day at Central as Pat Herndon Day in Farmers Branch. She is survived by her husband John of Athens, son John David and his wife Meredith of Austin, son Patrick Daniel of Farmers Branch, mother Mary Hathaway of Athens, and sister Glenda Grayson of Athens. A member of the Texas Retired Teachers Association, Mrs. Herndon had served the Carrollton -Farmers Branch ISD beginning in 1975, teaching at Carrollton Elementary, Woodlake Elementary, Sheffield Intermediate and serving as assistant principal at Montgomery, Stark and Central elementary schools . Funeral service will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday at Restland Memorial Chapel, 13005 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75243. The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Restland Funeral Home. Restland 972-238-7111 restlandfuneralhome.com

The Dallas Morning News - June 29, 2008
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams