Donald Lee Herring, Jr.

Donald Lee Herring, Jr.                                                     Toccoa ,Georgia

On Saturday, April 27, 2024, Kip Herring experienced the full presence of God as he entered the Gates of Heaven at the age of 73.

The son of the late Donald Lee Herring and Daphene Shaver Herring, he was born on September 12, 1950, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  He was a graduate of Southwest Dekalb High School and The University of Georgia with a degree in Management.  While a self-starter and entrepreneur from a very young age, he began his 34 year career in banking at C&S Bank of Atlanta.  He quickly became the “go-to guy” for start up projects as mergers ended him with Heritage Bank, a de novo start up in Gwinnett County.  He helped build out the first grocery store banks and was the Vice President of their Operations Center. 

In December of 1987, Kip and Ginger were married and they moved back to Ginger’s hometown of Toccoa, Georgia, where Kip became the President of Liberty Bank & Trust.  He kept this position until 2006 when the bank was sold.  After the sell, he worked as a consultant for several companies and organizations. 

Kip was involved in many community efforts and organizations including the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce, The Toccoa-Stephens County Literacy Council, Toccoa Rotary Club, and the Boys & Girls Club of Stephens County.  He was an active and faithful member of Toccoa First Methodist Church where he worked with the youth group and enjoyed many mission trips alongside his wife and daughters with the church. 

His hobbies were simple, hunting, his family and friends.  Kip loved hunting of any kind but especially anything with “feathers”.  Duck, turkey, geese, pheasant … it didn’t matter.  His favorite spot in the world outside of their home was Club 7-11 located in southern Louisiana, otherwise known as Duck Camp.  There he found peace, life-long friendships, and when the season was right, ducks.

In addition to his parents, Kip was preceded in death by his brother, Dennis Herring.

Survivors include his wife, Ginger Herring; daughters and sons-in-law, Kelly Herring of Pompano Beach, Florida, Logan and Kyle Harris of Toccoa, Georgia and Karly and Ben Menard of Toccoa, Georgia; three grandchildren, Jordan, Eli and Ethan Harris; sister, Debbie Herring Hatfield of Cartersville, Georgia; sister-in-law, Denise Herring of Fayetteville, Georgia; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Buddy and Jana Cheek and David Cheek; a number of nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024, 2:00 p.m. at Toccoa First Methodist Church with The Reverend Brent White officiating. 

The family will receive friends in the Cheek Fellowship Hall of the Toccoa First Methodist Church from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2024 prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Toccoa First Methodist Church, Reins of Life, Equine Therapy Program, 1238 Silver Shoals Road, Eastanollee, Georgia 30538, Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Society, P.O. Box 2182, Toccoa, Georgia 30577 or a charity or church of your choice.

Special thanks to the staff of Arbor Terrace South Forsyth Memory Care Center for their compassion, love and care over the last five years of Kip’s life.  Also, thanks to Elly Okello, Kip’s personal caregiver for the last two years who was a Godsend to Kip and his family. We will be forever grateful for his kindness, care and companionship.

Acree-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Donald Lee “Kip” Herring, Jr.