Margaret Vesta Butler Herndon, age 84, of Benton, Arkansas, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend passed away on May 12, 2025.

Margaret was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, with her older sisters, Marilyn and Katherine (Kay).  The three of them had a special bond and remained close over the years even though they lived apart.  Margaret attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where she studied English and was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.

In December of 1962, Margaret and her parents were staying at the Vagabond Motel in Miami, Florida, for a few months while looking for a home to purchase.  It was there that she met Bryan Herndon.  He was a tall young man who traveled the state of Florida as a Salesman for Copeland Sausage Company, and often stayed at the hotel.  He saw Margaret and her mom at the pool and asked the groundskeeper if he knew them.  He said that he did and introduced Bryan to Margaret and her mother.  As business brought him back to Miami, they would spend time together. They fell in love and were married 13 months later on January 10, 1964.  They recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on January 10, 2025.

Margaret was a loving mother.  Her son, Bryan Quinn Herndon, was born on July 3, 1966, and passed away on July 5, 1966.  She had two daughters, Quinn, born in June of 1967, and Kelly, born in March of 1973.  She cherished her grandchildren, Bryan, Samantha, Tiffany, and April and her great-grandchildren, Ella, Grace and Conor.

Margaret spent many years working in the banking industry, from Teller to Bank Manager.  She also worked for St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company, and retired as Office Manager for Canino Peckham & Associates, an architectural firm in Little Rock.

Margaret loved dancing, reading, listening to country music (her favorite singer was George Strait), spending time with family, and relaxing on the deck/porch watching the birds.  Her laughter was infectious (a major family trait).  She shared a very special bond with her sisters, Kay and Marilyn, and they were quite a rowdy bunch whenever they were together.  She was a member of the Church at Rock Creek and she and Bryan enjoyed being a part of their Grace Group Bible Study.

In December of 2015, at the Church at Rock Creek, the family had a three-generation baptism of Bryan Herndon, Quinn Herndon Collins, and Bryan Collins.  In November of 2021, the family had another three-generation baptism of Margaret Herndon, Kelly Herndon, and Samantha Collins. These events were very special to Margaret and the family.

Margaret is survived by her husband, Bryan Herndon of Benton, Arkansas; her daughter, Kelly Herndon of Bryant, Arkansas; her daughter and son-in-law, Quinn and Edward Collins of Alexander, Arkansas; her grandchildren, Bryan and Samantha Collins (Arkansas), Tiffany Collins Gleason and April Collins (Minnesota); and three great-grandchildren, Ella, Grace, and Conor Gleason (Minnesota).  She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins, including very special and longtime friends, Rebecca (Beckie) and Ron Miles, who are affectionately referred to as Aunt Beckie and Uncle Ronnie by Quinn and Kelly.

She is predeceased by her parents, C. Vestal and Nell Butler, her son, Bryan Quinn Herndon, and her beloved sisters, Marilyn Butler Sciortino and Katherine (Kay) Butler Tusa.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Church at Rock Creek Ministries, 11500 West 36th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72211.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at Ashby Funeral Home, 108 West Narroway Street, Benton, Arkansas, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., with a memorial service beginning at 2:00 p.m., and followed by a brief graveside ceremony at 3:15 p.m., at Pinecrest Memorial Park, 7401 AR-5, Alexander, Arkansas.