Herman Henning

Obituary For Herman Henning

Herman William Henning Jr. was born on January 13, 1934 in Memphis, Tennessee, the second of seven children of Rev. Dr. Herman William Henning, Sr., and Mattie Elizabeth Miller Henning. As a child, he had a strong sense of who he was and what he wanted to do in life.

Herman attended schools in Jackson, Mississippi, Shreveport, Louisiana, Mayfield, Kentucky, Paris, Tennessee, and Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, Memphis in 1951. He graduated from Le Moyne College, now Le Moyne Owen College, Memphis, Tennessee, in 1956, a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, and a Ph.D. from the Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. His dissertation was the Study of Educational and Political Systems in West Africa.

Herman excelled academically in every grade and was active in various sports, including basketball and football. He was captain of the basketball team at Booker T. Washington High School. During his college years, he served in the U. S. Army and also, became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He worked for the Tri-State Defender as a writer, photographer and when necessary, paper boy.

Early in his life, he confessed a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. As a son of an African Methodist Episcopal Church pastor and missionary, he was active in the Church and served in numerous positions at various local and conference levels. In his later years, he joined Metropolitan Baptist Church, with his wife where he served on the Security Team.

EDUCATOR

Dr. Henning’s passion was to impart knowledge in and out of the classroom. His love of teaching was so much a part of his life that the family knew a simple question might result in a long life lesson or an answer in another language. He had an unquenchable love of books and a keen memory. Both of these characteristics proved to be quite useful in the classroom and in life.

He taught History at Hirsch High School in Chicago, Illinois where his students achieved and excelled. While there he received awards for Excellence in Teaching. He taught every grade from kindergarten through post graduate study. While teaching at Hirsch, he was also involved in gang negotiations in Chicago. A part of his job was to help gang members communicate peacefully. Many of them trusted his mentorship, graduated from high school and attended college.

He also taught at Howard University in the journalism department. He later became a dean in that department and worked with Dr. Tony Brown. The high expectations Dr. Herman W. Henning set for himself, were passed on to his students. He was able through his students to prepare them to achieve their goals and passions. Many have attested to the fact that Dr. Henning helped them to discover, research, write, and explore their own visions in life.

It was at Howard University that he was able to prepare for a childhood dream of governmental service. Early in life, he studied multiple languages with the hope of being a translator at the United Nations. Through the work he did in African and Cultural Educational Systems and with his ability to speak in multiple languages, particularly French, he was selected to serve at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as a Cultural Affairs Director and Attaché.

Dr. Henning often stated that serving in this capacity was one of his greatest professional achievements. He served the countries of Morocco, Cameroon, Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Benin, and Namibia. He had the rare distinction of serving one continent for the entirety of his service and having his brother, Bishop C. Garnett Henning, Sr,. serve several countries in Africa as an AME Bishop.

In each country, he developed and implemented innovative programs, cultural uniqueness, sports programs, and self-help opportunities. These innovative programs and partnerships have remained over the years, supporting individuals, and sustaining enrichment programs. This impact reached beyond the continent of Africa. Dr. Henning dedicated his career to providing opportunities and programs to underserved populations. One of the beneficiaries of his mentorship and initiatives was Dikembe Mutombo, professional basketball player. It was Dr. Henning’s relationship with Coach John Thompson that facilitated the awarding of a USAID scholarship and allowed him to complete his degree at Georgetown University. Documentarian Dina Khreino included a segment on Dr. Henning’s relationship with Mutombo in her documentary on Mutombo’s contributions to Zaire’s medical and business development. Those interviews were conducted during the last few months of Dr. Henning’s life allowing Mutombo to thank Dr. Henning for all the ways he had helped him.

In his professional retirement, he was a member of the Memphis and Shelby County Retired Teachers Association. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and supporter of LeMoyne-Owen College.

FAMILY

Herman’s placement in the family prepared him to be a leader. He was a confidant, counselor, voice of wisdom, and funny. He was more than funny, he had a quick wit, deep humor, and used it to engage, change and empower others, and to often diffuse situations. He loved art, particularly the art of the diaspora, classical and jazz musical genre, sports and photography.

He married Faye J. Wade and to this union was born Loren Elliot Henning. He and Faye provided a house where extended family members were welcomed and empowered to adjust to challenges in life.

Herman was extremely proud of his children and shared their accomplishments with family and friends. They both demonstrated parts of his life. He bragged about Loren’s track and field proficiency, his high academic achievement and his musical gifts, among others. He was also proud of his daughter, Rev. Dr. Maria Williams-Hawkins, who shared his photography gifts, journalism skills, and excelled in academia. Through his love of people of the diaspora, Fati Liamidi Bynum became a true part of the Henning family, a special daughter.

Later in life he married Cynthia Currin who was a friend from college. They shared a passion for family, travel, classical music, reading and simply enjoying life. Herman served as support to her mother and family in her mother’s sickness and transition.

Throughout his lifetime, Dr. Herman W. Henning fought for social and political advancement. While he was not always seen on the front line of social protest, his commitment was to social and political justice. He developed friendship with leaders which enabled him to influence political and social decisions. Family members were often surprised when someone who was nationally known would ask if we were related to Dr. Herman W. Henning. They would comment that he advised them, counselled with them on a book, served as mentor or was a friend.

Having completed his assignment, on October 28, 2020 he entered the heavenly realm. We will miss his legacy of love and leadership which will continue for generations to come. His parents, the Rev. Dr. Herman W. Henning, Sr., and Mrs. Mattie Elizabeth Henning, preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death were his sister, Zettie A. Henning, brothers, Bishop C. Garnett Henning, Rev. John Patrick Henning, Rev. Walter D. Parks, II (brother-in-law), George Miller Henning and his wife, Dr. Rita Claiborne Henning as well as his maternal grandmother, Zettie Henning and special uncle, aunts and cousin John Patrick Miller, Ethel Miller, Lucille Gaines and Zettie Craig.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Currin Henning, his daughter, Dr. Maria Williams-Hawkins (Darryal, Sr.) son, Loren Elliott Henning (Eric C. Ciasullo), special daughter, Fati Liamidi Bynum (Zerrick), grandchildren, Darryal Hawkins, Jr., Matteo Henning-Gerson and Eden Rose Henning-Gerson, great grandchildren, Karmin Hawkins and Nathan Ortley, siblings Yvonne Henning Parks (Rev. Walter, deceased), Bishop Elizabeth Anne Henning Byfield (Ainsley M. Byfield), sister-in-law, Ernestine Lee Henning (widow of Cornal Garnett Henning), Armita Anderson Henning, (widow of John Patrick Henning), a special cousin, Charles B. Craig, sisters-in-law: Christine Johnson (Carl), Grace Currin and Jean Currin, brothers-in law, David and Charles R. Currin, stepdaughters, Deborah W. Turner and Gina D. Miller. He also has step grandchildren, Jasmine, Jon and Jennifer Turner and Stephen and Jacob Miller. Additional nieces and nephews include Russell and Babette Holder, Adeline Ogbor, Jesse and Letha Currin, Joye Wilson, and Robin Harris. He was also loved by step grandchildren, godchildren, extended family and friends.