Marlin Jake Herring

November 9, 1928 – September 18, 2026

Marlin Jake (M.J.) Herring, age 97, of Maysville, NC entered his heavenly home on September 18, 2026, at his residence. He was born in Bucklesberry, NC on November 9, 1928, to Benjamin D. Herring and Elizabeth Sutton Herring. He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Kathryn Herring Garris and Marie Herring Bartlett. Those left to cherish his memories are his loving wife of 73 years, Joyce Mallard Herring; son, Marlin Jake (M.J.) Herring, Jr., and Cindy of Reidsville, NC; son, Don Herring and Marianne of Swansboro, NC; daughter, Kay Herring Gray and Wayne of Maysville, NC; grandson, Andrew Herring and Jenny, great-grandchildren Judah Herring and May Lin Herring of Danville, VA; granddaughter, Anna Herring and Uby Khawaja of Nashville, TN; and sister, Mabel Lynch Herring Smith, of Goldsboro, NC.

A graduate of LaGrange High School, he entered North Carolina State University to pursue his degree in Animal Science. Marlin was called to active duty in the US Army to serve a tour during the Korean War. At the end of his duty, he returned to NCSU to finish his bachelors and master’s degrees in Agricultural Education. He continued his military service as a US Army Reservist for 29 years and earned the rank of Colonel prior to retirement.

In 1952, he accepted an agriculture teaching position at Hallsboro High School where he met fellow teacher and the love of his life, Joyce Eloise Mallard. Marlin and Joyce were married in 1953 and continued to teach in Sampson County until 1957 when Marlin accepted an agriculture teaching position at White Oak High School in Onslow County. For the next 34 years, he served the Onslow County educational system as an agriculture teacher (1957-1977) and as Director of Vocational Education Programs (1977-1991).

Marlin’s life was dedicated to his family, his church and his community. He was a member and leader within the Belgrade Methodist Church for 69 years and an active member of the White Oak Community Building for 52 years. In 1979, he was appointed as a Trustee to the Coastal Carolina Community College Board where he had the privilege of serving for over 36 years as a Board member, and as Board Chairman, during the Institution’s early period of campus expansion, program development and enrollment growth. In 1999, Marlin received the James R. Strickland Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award and was inducted into the Onslow Agricultural Hall of Fame for his cumulative service as an agriculture teacher, FFA Advisor, FFA Alumni Advisor, community servant and for active leadership during his tenure as chairman of the Onslow Agricultural Extension Advisory Council.

In his retirement, Marlin spent his time on personal interests such as tending to his farm, walking his numerous dogs, working with his three children, and traveling with Joyce to visit friends, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In later years, his greatest joy came from interacting with his neighbors and his many former agriculture students who successfully utilized their technical skills and FFA leadership skills to lead prosperous and productive lives for their families and themselves.

The family would like to thank Tavia Henley, who organized and managed the Care Team which helped him and loved him during the final years of his life here on earth. Additional Care Team members include Janetta Everett, Za’Nasia Everett, Tiffany Gatewood, Michaela Handy, Toya Morrison, Vanessa Murdaugh and Victoria Rio.

In leu of flowers, memorials may be made to Belgrade Church, PO Box 161 Maysville, NC 28555 or Coastal Carolina Community College Foundation 444 Western Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546 to support the Herring Family Scholarship.

The family will receive visits from friends and family on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Jones Funeral Home, 303 Chaney Ave, Jacksonville, NC from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. A funeral service will be held at Jones Funeral Home in Jacksonville on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 1:00 pm with Pastors Drew Herring and Nathan Dunham officiating. Interment will follow at the Coastal Veterans Cemetery, 110 Montford Landing Rd, Jacksonville, NC. The Herring Family is being served by Jones Funeral Home in Jacksonville, NC.