Mrs. Ola Mae (Seay) Herns , age 82, passed from this life on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at approximately 8:27 a.m. at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima.

Mrs. Herns was born on October 18, 1940 in Iuka, Mississippi to Chester Odell and Daisy Bell (Dillworth) Seay; both parents are deceased. On July 2, 1976 she was united in holy matrimony to John Herns, Jr., he preceded her in death.

Mrs. Herns retired from Head Start - LACCA after 44 years were she held several positions including cook, assistant teacher, parent volunteer coordination, head teacher, site administrator and child development associate adviser; and worked part-time for PathStone in retirement.  Mrs. Herns was a member of Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church for more than 67 years and was active in conducting health and wellness checks for members, was a member of the choir and praise team and served as secretary,  she was an active missionary and served as 2nd Vice President of the Northwest Women's Mission, served on the kitchen ministry, was founder of the Silver Sisters ministry,  and served as president of the Progressive Club.  She earned her Associates of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Development Technology at Lima Technical College and graduated from Northwestern Bible College with a Bachelors of Arts in the Bible. She was also a charter member of Gamma Tau Chapter of ETA Phi Beta sorority.

She was also very active in the community where she volunteered at the voting polls for many years, served on the City of Lima Board of Public Nuisance Appeals, a member of the Southside Neighborhood Association and was a certified Neighborhood Resource Specialist.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory 3 daughters; LaJeana R. Seay and Joanna M. (Vatchel) Robinson of Lima, and Carla E. (Rev. Joey) Simpson of Huntsville, AL., 2 sons; Rufus E. (Marilyn)Seay and Jeffery B. (Marrianne) Berger of Lima, OH.; 18 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; 4 brothers; Father Robert C. Seay of Cincinnati, OH., Larry A. (Diane) Seay of Lima, Donald L. Seay and Glennis M. (Mary) Seay both of Champaign, IL., 2 sisters; Patricia J. (Beresford) Benjamin of Wilmington, CA., and Debbie J. Seay of Lima, sister-in-law Georgia A. Seay;.  A host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Cassandra G. Berger; step-son, Joseph G. Berger; step-daughter, Fern Berger; sister, Carrie B. Williamson; and 2 brothers; Rufus O.Seay and King D. Seay.