Donna Colman Herring

Donna Colman Herring, aged 90, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 24, 2016, after a brave and courageous battle with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Donna was born and raised in Wisconsin but came to North Carolina as the young World War II bride of the late Joseph N Harper of Rocky Mount, NC.  They settled in Raleigh where they raised their children. Donna was married to Joe for 25 years.  Her children, Laura Harper (now of Santa Fe, NM), Stan Harper and daughter-in-law Dot Harper (of Greensboro, NC) survive her. Donna was later married to the late Oakley L Herring for 34 years.  Donna and Oakley were long-term residents of Raleigh’s Historic Oakwood Community. Together they restored several homes in the neighborhood and also opened Raleigh’s first bed and breakfast, The Oakwood Inn. They were active in their community and the Society for the Preservation of Historic Oakwood. Donna’s mother, Olive Colman lived with Oakley and Donna in Oakwood and had her music teaching studio in their home. Donna worked as an office manager for Dr. Philip Thomas, DDS for 20 years where she enjoyed meeting the patients and their families. She loved the arts and studied painting with Joe Cox.  She was an avid fan of jazz as well as classical and choral music and became a devoted fan of the Oakwood Waits.  She was proud of her home town of Raleigh and loved exploring the Carolina beaches.  Donna was a member of the Raleigh Moravian Church where she was involved in fundraising for restoring the church’s organ, the flower shuttle and the chair yoga program. In addition to her children, Donna is survived by her: step-children Milena Herring, Stephen Herring, Lisa Cantrell, and Holly Dunkin; grandchildren Russell and Christopher Harper; great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Donna was especially close to her first cousins, Anne Mason, Joanne Moon, Cindy Klein, Linda Harvey, Greg Cary and their families. A memorial service to celebrate Donna’s life will be held Friday, July 29, 11:00 am at the Raleigh Moravian Church. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.  A private graveside service and internment will be held for the family at Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Raleigh Moravian Church, 1816 Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607.