Pearl Rebecca McConnel Herring, a longtime Cushing resident passed away at her home on Jan 16, 2009. She was 86 years old.

Pearl was born on March 20, 1922 in Cushing, Oklahoma to John and Stella McConnel.

She attended school in Cushing and Nowata, Oklahoma.

As a teenager she moved to Colorado with her family where she met Elba Herring. They were both baptized on February 13, 1940 into the Church of the Firstborn. They were married shortly after in Moab, Utah 68 years ago. They returned to their home in Colorado. In 1943, they moved to Cushing. Her husband became a minister in 1946.

For over 60 years she delighted in cooking meals for guests in their home and spent many hours visiting in the homes of church members. She was always supportive of her husband in his gift of ministry. They traveled many miles to other assemblies. She went along whenever she could and was also very involved in church activities. In 1972, they moved to California to assist the church at Fresno. They returned to Cushing in 1988 where she remained until death.

She enjoyed working in her flower bed, but her family was her great joy.

She is survived by her husband, Elba of the home; daughters Marie Greenfield and husband Wayne of Tryon; Loretta Smith and husband Danny of Cushing; Stella Wittman and husband Ronnie of Stillwater; one brother LeRoy McConnel and wife Lucille of Hico, Texas; grandchildren Glenda Kyser and husband Edward; Michael Greenfield; Steven Smith and wife Jozette; John Smith and wife Faith; David Smith and wife Rhonda; Aaron Wittman and wife Teresa; Derek Wittman; Benita Erbin and husband Roger; Cynthia Greenfield and Rebecca Greenfield; nineteen great grandchildren; and six great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Charles McConnell; three sisters, Ethel Cornett, Ruby Gray and an infant sister.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday at the Church of the Firstborn, Cushing, Oklahoma. Brother Wayne Tibbett and Brother Jerry Wittman will officiate.

Interment will follow at the Parkland Cemetery, Parkland, Oklahoma.