Elsie Herren

Elsie Janice Herren, age 77, passed away peacefully May 2, 2023, due to metastatic lung cancer at Alive Hospice’s inpatient facility in Nashville, Tennessee. She was born January 12, 1946, in Camden, Tennessee to J.D. and Betty Markham. Janice married while in high school and was a devoted wife to James Dobson, as well as a loving mother to their daughters Katrina and Renee.

Divorcing James, Janice bravely moved to Huntsville, Alabama, and began her career as a factory worker at Monsanto Chemicals. She worked long, physically demanding hours, often on second or third shift, in pursuit of giving her children the best life she could as a single mom. While in Huntsville, she was introduced to Benjamin Calvin Herren at the birthday party of a mutual friend, and the two quickly fell in love and were married, later having a son, Benjamin Shane. Relocating to Madison, Tennessee, and eventually settling in Hendersonville, Janice would go on to work at many factories in the textile, meat packing and tobacco industries. She was a beloved co-worker at each due to her genuine love and concern for others.

An avid reader, Janice enjoyed going to the public library, and she especially enjoyed discussing those books and drinking coffee with her beloved mother Betty. She was particularly proud that she earned her GED at the age of 51. Janice loved being around her extended family, and she treasured the holidays, especially Christmas. She was a member of First Baptist Hendersonville where she loved to make a joyful noise to the Lord, and to hear the songs the choir performed. She had a deep faith and personal relationship with Jesus that saw her through physical pain and difficult times with a smile on her face.

Janice was predeceased by her husband Benjamin Calvin Herren, mother Betty Walrond, father J.D. Markham, step-father Thelbert Hatley, step-father William Walrond, brother Kevin Hatley, and son-in-law Ricky Blair. She is survived by daughters Katrina Smith (Randy) and Renee Blair, son Benjamin Shane Herren (Meredith); grandchildren Brandy Russell, Tiffany Pike (Josh), Ricky Blair, Steven Blair; great grandchildren Houston Pike, Bethany Pike, Mackenzie Blair; siblings Nettie Moore (Oscar), Sherrie Thomas, Warren Hatley (Julia), Scott Walrond (Kim), Vicki Childers.

Visitation will be held at Hendersonville Funeral Home on Sunday, May 7th from 4-8, and Monday, May 8th from 1-2. The funeral service will be held at Hendersonville Funeral Home on Monday, May 8th at 2.