Faye Alesia Herring nee Riley sadly passed away on December 9, 2023 at the age of 71. Born on December 29, 1951 to Grady and Viola Riley, Faye was one of three siblings. Faye grew up with brothers Ray and Don in Waynesboro, Mississippi, where she attended Waynesboro Central High School.

She married Ed Herring in May of 1971, and the two moved from Mississippi to California, Wyoming, and finally to Texas, where they made their home in Austin. No matter where she was, family was a common theme in Faye's life. Keeping up with her relationships was very important to her—she always had a card ready to be mailed, a chat ready to be sent, or a photo ready to be shared.

Faye had a great love for creating things. Her hands were rarely still as she sewed, crafted, or tended to her garden. Her children and grandchildren all have fond memories of being put to work pulling weeds, watering plants, and picking vegetables in the garden. Faye also loved flowers, especially daylilies, and she loved making the world a prettier and brighter place.

This affinity for the outdoors went beyond gardening. Faye was always ready to have fun, and at various times in her life she danced, played softball, skied, and spent time relaxing with her family at the beach. Faye especially loved the Westlake High School Chaparrals football team and was an avid fan long after her sons' time with the team.

But Faye also understood the value of hard work and the satisfaction of helping provide for her family. She worked for the State of Texas for 25 years, starting in then Lt. Governor Bill Hobby's press room and serving several other departments before finally working in the comptroller's office. With her quiet warmth and keen sense of humor, Faye helped bring joy into her office and into the lives of the friends she made there.

When asked to describe Faye, anyone who knew her would remember her strength. Our family would sometimes lovingly refer to this trait as her "Covington-Riley Stubbornness," but Faye truly possessed an immense mental and physical strength. She modeled standing up for yourself and your family, and she was a safe harbor for others during stormy times. Faye constantly used this quality in service of her family, and we hope to learn from her example.

Faye is survived by her husband Ed; her children Jennifer (Trent) Walsh, Jeremiah Herring, and Jesse Herring; her grandchildren Reagan, Riley, Jackson, and Brady; and her brothers Don and Ray Riley. While not related by blood, Faye also loved Kristen (Stan) Dalley and her children Kendra Standiford, Kailyn Rutland, and Kyle Dalley as her own.

We invite all those Faye knew and loved deeply to join us in celebrating her life. A visitation will be held on Friday, December 15 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Harrell Funeral Home, located at 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, TX 78745.

A second visitation will be held Wednesday, December 20 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at Freeman Funeral Home, located at 1305 Skyland Drive, Waynesboro, MS 39367. A graveside service will be held the same day at 2:30 pm at White House Cemetery in Clara, MS.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider making a donation to the Central Texas Foodbank or another charity of your choice.