Full Name:  Myrtis E. Herndon
     Born:  December 4, 1925, Nettleton, Miss.
     Died:  November 7, 2020, South Bend, Ind.

Awards:  2010 Champions Beyond the Game

Year  Hgt  Wgt  Cl  Ltr  Hometown
                                                                 

Myrtis E. Herndon was a 5 sport athlete and National Honor Society member at Miami Edison before coming to FSU. At Florida State, she was a 4 sport athlete, member of F Club, and received the highest athletic distinction of Emblem Wearer. Myrt earned a B.S. in Education in 1954 after which she returned to Miami where she instructed Girl's P.E. at Nautilus Junior High. She continued her education in 1957 at Northern Illinois University where she was a graduate teacher while earning her Masters in Education. Before finishing her degree, she began as Assistant Professor of Physical Education at Hiram College (Ohio). Myrt taught there until 1962 when she dedicated two years to the Peace Corps, teaching in Bangkok. Mert came back to the states, teaching at eight year old USF before returning to Hiram College in 1966. She became Professor of Physical Education, Exercise/Sports Science and was active in many organizations including the USOC. Until her retirement in 1995, she published over 14 books and articles on physical education and sport, winning awards from the International Olympic Committee. Myrt earned her Doctorate from Ohio State University in 1991 and currently serves as Professor Emerita at Hiram College, where the Softball Field proudly bears her name.

Earlier this year, former professor of physical education and exercise/sports science emerita Myrtis E. Herndon, was honored by Florida State University as "Champion Beyond the Game" as part of FSU's Womens' Athletics Weekend.

Herndon, a 1954 graduate of FSU, was a four-year sport at the school and was a member of the "F" Club in addition to receiving the highest athletic distinction of Emblem Wearer. The FSU "Champions Beyond the Game" award honors former women athletes who have excelled in life after college sports.

After earning a bachelor's degree in education at FSU, Herndon went on to earn a master's in education from Northern Illinois University and became an assistant professor of physical education at Hiram College. She left Hiram in 1962 and served in the Peace Corp for two years before returning to Hiram in 1966. Herndon served as Professor of Physical Education at Hiram until her retirement in 1995. Prior to retiring, she earned her doctorate from The Ohio State University in 1991.

Herndon has played a pivotal role in the development of women's intercollegiate varsity sports throughout her career at the local, state, regional and national levels. She aided in the development of policies and procedures governing women's participation in sports through the creation of numerous organizations in Ohio and the region. Herndon served as commissioner of three of these organizations from 1971-74 in Ohio and the Midwest overseeing regional collegiate sports championships for women. She has published 14 books and articles on physical education and sport, winning awards from the International Olympic Committee.

She has been a longtime supporter of Hiram and women's athletics. Herndon was a key contributor of the construction of the campus softball field which is named in honor of her.

Dec. 4, 1925 - Nov. 7, 2020

LAKEVILLE, IN - Myrtis Herndon, 94, a long-time resident of South Bend, passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, November 7. She was born on December 4, 1925 in Nettleton, Mississippi, to Oscar and Floy (Webb) Baulch. She married Jessie Edward ("J.E.") Herndon, October 30, 1946.

Myrtis, affectionately called Granny, was a simple person. Born in a small town down deep in the South of Mississippi, she spent her formative years picking cotton and making cornbread. Because her labor was needed at home, she was not able to start school until the age of 12. At best, she achieved a sixth-grade education. Married with a family of four, J.E. and Myrtis moved to South Bend in the early 50s in search of work, and the family grew to six. In South Bend, Granny held factory labor jobs at South Bend Toy and Ball-Band, retiring after many years of service from Uniroyal.

While she led a simple life, and the education of her children and grandchildren far exceeded her own, there is not any false impression that we were better people than she. The way she loved, laughed, and lived life were the building blocks of her character, one that exemplifies the true meaning of giving. She had a deep faith in God; there are many times that her faithful prayers kept her children and grandchildren safe and brought them back home, a tribute to that faith.

Her favorite song to sing to her grandchildren was an old favorite... I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck. Don't ask why, but she added her own twist to the end... "If I could, I'd put you in my mouth and spit you in the river." Oddly enough, that was the part we always wanted to hear.

Myrtis is the last of her generation, a true testament to living right. She is simply survived by her daughter, Brenda (Bruce) Eaton of South Bend, Indiana, her son, Danny (Brenda) Herndon of Walkerton, Indiana; her grandchildren, Tammy Finch, Teresa (Jim) Tillman, Tara (Danny) Green, Jennifer (Nathan)Johnston, Lisa (Chris) Minix, Kelly Herndon, Cassie Herndon, Jesse Herndon, Jake Herndon, Sara (Simon) Hernandez, Chris Herndon, Melissa (Tawane) Criglear, and Glover Herndon, 31 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren -- a legacy to be cherished.