Mary Frances Herndon

Mary Frances Herndon, 94, of Sedalia, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center.

She was the youngest of three children born to John Lawson and Sarah Josephine (May) McCurdy. Raised in Georgetown, she grew up with her brother, sister and parents in her grandparents’ home during the Depression.

Mary Frances was a 1948 graduate of Smith-Cotton High School. She was one of the eldest living members of First Christian Church, where she was a 72-year member of the Chancel Choir, and Lifetime Elder.

Her life was centered around music, horses, and family. Her musical ability, which included vocal performance, whistling, and piano, autoharp and Omni-chord playing, took her many places in life. She garnered first-place for piano performance at the first Scott Joplin Festival in 1974. In 1983, she was the guest artist for the Sedalia Symphony. She won first place at the Missouri Waltz Music Contest in 1990 and 1991. In 1996, she won adult grand champion, and in 1997 the female grand champion at the International Whistler’s Convention. She was the 1997 Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce outstanding citizen. 1998, she was the William Williams whistling entertainer of the year. In 1999, she placed first in the woman’s senior division of the Edmonton Canada Millennium of Whistlers. In 2000, she served as instructor at the International Whistling School. In 2001, she placed first in the allied arts division of the International Whistler’s Convention. Also in 2001, she was inducted into the Whistler’s Hall of Fame. She was also a published author of a booklet “My Memories of My Four Black Horses” and it was edited by daughter-in-law, Kay Herndon and required a second printing. She was a published poet and was a renowned birthday card poet for all of her loved ones loosely based on “Roses are Red, Violets are Blue” with artwork of her whistling. She loved to entertain and play games with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her favorite games were Hide the Thimble and Mother May I. 

In 2004, as a charter member of the Sedalia Chorale, she was awarded the David Hasak spirit award. In 2005, she was honored with the Sedalia Top Arts Award for lifetime achievement in the arts. She was a 67-year member of the Helen G. Steele Music Club and performed throughout the United States for Knife and Fork Clubs. She had a long history of vocal and piano performance throughout the area at various churches, nursing homes, funerals, weddings, and civic organizations. She was a member of the Shenandoah Trio which regularly performed throughout Central Missouri in the 1980s and 90s. She was interviewed and performed on countless radio stations throughout the U.S. and Australia.

Mary Frances was also a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, Sorosis, and the Sedalia Saddle Club. She was a consummate horseman winning many ribbons at horse shows and was proud to have crossed the Continental Divide on horseback.

Survivors include a son, Jack D. Herndon Jr. and his wife, Kay, of Golden, CO; a daughter, Meladee Bay and her husband, Skip, of Sedalia; five grandchildren, Erin Feistel (Ron), Kelly Seeman (Ryan), Zachary Bay (Krista), Jacalyn Epperson (Cale), and Bethany Stratton (Evan); seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild. She had many loving “adopted daughters” who fondly called her “Mighty Mother”.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, John McCurdy; and a sister, Betty Wells.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Heckart Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 29, 2024, at Heckart Funeral Home.

Casket bearers will be Bob Bay, Cale Epperson, Evan Stratton, Mason Feistel, Alan McCurdy and Chris Spence.

Burial will be in Highland Sacred Gardens.

Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church or Helen G. Steele Music Club.