Glenda Joyce Herrin's Obituary
Glenda J. Watson Herrin, age 77, passed away on January 15, 2026, in Alachua, FL after a short battle with cancer. She was born on July 7, 1948, in Cordele, GA and moved to Alachua in 1982.
Glenda worked for many years as a certified pharmacy technician at Hitchcock’s Hometown Pharmacy and Gresham Drug Store in Alachua. Prior to that, she was a school bus driver for the Alachua County School Board for ten years.
Glenda is survived by her children who meant the world to her, Renee (Bobby) Carroll of High Springs, FL, Christopher (Ana) Fortson of Vine Grove, KY, Bill Fortson of Alachua, FL, and Teresa (Scott) Roane of Suwannee, FL; 9 grandchildren, Clinton Caroll, Bobby Carroll Jr, Chance Fortson, Brittany Carroll, Morgan Fortson, Joshua Fortson, Crystal Fortson, Tyler Carroll, and Taylor Roane; 11 great grandchildren; her aunt Ellen Crenshaw of Dawson, GA, 8 nieces and nephews, many bonus children that she acquired over the years who lovingly knew her as either Mema or Mama Glenda; very special friends Mindie Roberts and Ken Kenyon, and her dog Zena.
Glenda was preceded in death by her husband Walter Herrin, father James Watson, Mother Juanita Walls Whiddon, brothers Rudolph Watson and Ronnie Watson, sisters Shirley Smith and Charlotte Smith, and great grandson Liam Fortson.
Glenda was a one-of-a-kind person with a language all her own that we called “Glinderisms.” She enjoyed going fishing; spending time with her family; attending concerts with Mindie; making people laugh; watching The Wizard of Oz, Swamp People, Ghost Hunters, and the cowboys riding bulls on the PBR; collecting knick knacks; and decorating her house inside and outside for Christmas. Mama/Mema was deeply loved and will be extremely missed by everyone that knew her.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 11:00 A. M. in the Newberry Church of Christ, 25045 West Newberry Road, Newberry, with Minister Jess Carter, officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Grove Cemetery, 8100 NW 226th Street, Alachua, Florida. The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Westarea, 823 NW 143rd St., Newberry.
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