Jana Herring Blackman

Jana Herring Blackman

March 14, 2023, 61, Goldsboro –

Jana Herring Blackman, 61, passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at her home, surrounded by her family. Born in Harnett County on May 15, 1961, she was the daughter of the late Dalton and Estelle Williford Herring.

In addition to her parents, Jana was preceded in death by her brother, Garrett Herring.

Jana is survived by her daughters, Summer Blackman Gray and husband, Daniel and Savannah Blackman Mozingo and husband, Ben; fiancé, Ricky Lee; her fiancé’s children whom she loved as her own, Crystal Lee Sparks and Kari Yarrow and husband, Jon; sister, Gail Denning and husband, Billy; sister-in-law, Joyce Herring; and several nieces and nephews. Jana and Ricky cherished and adored his grandchildren, Amber Matson, Braedyn Sparks, and Grayson Yarrow.

Jana retired from UNC Health Wayne where she worked for nearly 35 years, most of those years as a nursing director. She started her career at UNC Health Wayne as a floor nurse and in 1988 Jana was hired to start an industrial health program in Wayne County. As a visionary, she saw the potential to promote health and wellness in the business and industry sectors. As the years progressed, she was a driving force and cheerleader behind many new initiatives including school health, corporate health, WISH, and WATCH. All these programs have made a positive difference in this community and beyond. She was a member of Maple Grove Methodist Church in Dunn.

Jana enjoyed spending time at White Lake where she could often be found sitting on a swing or reading a book on the pier. She loved making memories with her family and putting those memories together in her many scrapbooks. Christmas was her favorite time of the year, and she spent many joyful hours decorating her home and wrapping each gift with meticulous attention to detail. Jana enjoyed fishing and jumped at any chance to head to Bogue Inlet Pier. Most important in her life was her family. Jana loved her girls more than life itself. She will be remembered as a loving mother, fiancé, “Nena”, sister, nurse, and friend.

A service to celebrate Jana’s life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Maple Grove Methodist Church with Rev. Chris Leakes officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Saturday during the hour prior to the service in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to
Maple Grove Methodist Church, c/o Joyce Herring
1555 Watery Branch Road
Dunn, NC 28334

Arrangements have been entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences may be expressed at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.

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