Aaron B. Herren

Aaron Baxter Herren, age 91, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2025, in Spring Hill, Tennessee, at The Reserve of Spring Hill.

Born January 11, 1934, in Fayette County, Alabama, Aaron was the youngest of six children born to the late Wiley Herren and Alma Irene Hiten Herren. From his earliest days, Aaron displayed a natural talent for athletics, which would become one of his lifelong passions. He pursued his education at Freed-Hardeman College, where he not only excelled academically and athletically but also became the very first person inducted into the Freed-Hardeman University Sports Hall of Fame.

It was there that Aaron met the love of his life, Reta Watson. The two were married on July 30, 1953, and began a 70+ year journey together filled with faith, family, and service. Answering his calling to ministry in the Church of Christ, Aaron dedicated the majority of his life to preaching the gospel and shepherding congregations. His work took him and Reta to communities across Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, and Illinois, where they formed lasting bonds and touched countless lives with the message of hope in Christ.

In 2002, Aaron and Reta made Antioch, Tennessee, their home after retiring. Outside the pulpit, Aaron found joy in the simple pleasures of life. He and Reta loved spending time with kids and grandkids and later great grandkids, playing cards, traveling, tending to their yard, and enjoying a good round of golf. Together they also spent many hours volunteering for the ‘Churches of Christ Disaster Relief’. In 2021, they moved to The Goldton Assisted Living in Spring Hill, where he resided until November 2024.

Aaron’s greatest treasures were his family. Affectionately known as “PawPaw” and “PePaw,” he poured love and wisdom into the generations that followed him. Those left to cherish his memory include his children: Becky (Tommy) Holland, Brent (Janice) Herren, and Hope (Mike) Yuhas; 12 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Reta Watson Herren; his son, Dale Watson Herren; and all of his siblings.

The family also wants to thank the staff from The Reserve at Spring Hill and Caris Hospice for the love and care they provided while he was there.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Spring Hill Memorial Funeral Home, with visitation beginning two hours prior to the service. Aaron will be laid to rest beside Reta in the Garden of Serenity at Spring Hill Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Aaron’s honor to the Tennessee Children’s Home, reflecting his lifelong love for nurturing young lives.

The care of Mr. Aaron B. Herren has been entrusted to Spring Hill Memorial Funeral Home. To share words of comfort, please visit www.springhill-memorial.com