Tanya Moore-Herring

Tanya Moore-Herring lived a life marked by service, compassion, resilience, and love for others. She believed everyone deserved to be seen, valued, and cared for.

Born on January 13, 1971, to Annie Ruth Dodd Moore and Miles P. Moore, Tanya began her life’s journey in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Although she was the only biological child of her parents, she was lovingly raised by her grandparents, the late Myrtle Dodd Barnard and Rev. Orange Barnard, in the Frey Line Community of Fairforest, South Carolina. Their faith, wisdom, unconditional love, and strong values helped shape the woman she became. Tanya remained proud of her roots and was a lifelong member of the Frey Line Community.

Due to the long-term illness of her mother, Tanya learned early in life the meaning of love, sacrifice, and responsibility. Those lessons came full circle as she faithfully cared for both her mother and grandmother in their later years. She considered it an honor to give back to the women who had poured so much into her life, serving them with patience, dignity, and love.

Tanya attended Spartanburg County Schools and graduated from Dorman High School before earning her bachelor’s degree from South Carolina State University in 1993. While at South Carolina State University, she became a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, embracing the organization’s commitment to scholarship, service, and sisterhood. She was also a devoted member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Tanya built a successful career in the rent-to-own industry with Rent-A-Center, Rent Way, and Crusader’s Rent to Own. Known as a strong leader and mentor, she managed teams of more than ten employees and was responsible for generating more than one million dollars in annual sales. She took great pride in helping others grow and retired after a rewarding career.

Throughout her life, Tanya faced numerous health challenges, including artificial heart valve replacement surgery. Rather than allowing her diagnosis to define her, she became an advocate for heart health, participating in support groups, learning as much as she could about heart disease, and encouraging others through her own experiences.

Serving others was simply who Tanya was. She believed in second chances, supported Black-owned businesses, enjoyed conversations about politics and business, and found joy in encouraging those around her. She quietly made a difference wherever she went.

A lifelong member of the Frey Line Community in Fairforest, Tanya remained deeply connected to her roots. As a child, she attended Forest Chapel CME Church with her grandmother and First Baptist Church of Fairforest with her grandfather. Later in life, she faithfully watched the worship services of First Baptist Church of James Island and Reedy River Missionary Baptist Church, finding comfort, encouragement, and spiritual connection through their ministries.

Tanya embraced life with curiosity. She loved technology, couponing, Facebook, TikTok, online shopping, and finding great deals at Walmart and Sam’s Club. She especially enjoyed supporting Black-owned businesses, following politics and current events, and was a lifelong Mickey Mouse fan. One of her favorite ways to relax was watching In the Heat of the Night, a show she never grew tired of.

Tanya loved animals. She cherished the memories of her beloved dog, Roxie, and her late grand dog, Malachi, both of whom preceded her in death. She deeply loved her faithful companion, Peter James, affectionately known as “Pierre” or “Pissy P,” who remained by her side during her final moments. She also adored her grand dogs, Lucas Marion, Prosper Rene, and Creed Lloyd, and had a lifelong affection for cats.

Although Tanya was an only child, family meant everything to her. She shared a special bond with her first cousins William Karsene Lloyd and his wife, Tonya Sheree Lloyd; Phyllis Lloyd Duncan and her husband, David Bruce Duncan; and her special cousin, Sabrina Booker, who held a cherished place in her heart. She lovingly remembered those who preceded her in death and remained forever in her heart: Michael Butler Sr., Janice Griffin, Cynthia Butler, and Sheila Smith.

Friendship was one of Tanya’s greatest blessings. She is survived by her best friend of more than forty years, Regina Pinckney Stephens and her husband, Bobby Stephens, whose lifelong friendship was filled with love, laughter, and unwavering support. She also treasured the friendship she shared with Kathy McDowell and her husband, Joe McDowell, valued the companionship of her dear friend Walter Rodriguez, and lovingly remembered her longtime friend Jody Bryd, whose passing left a lasting place in her heart.

Tanya leaves to cherish her memory her devoted daughter, Ariel Moore-Herring Littlejohn, and son-in-law, Paul Littlejohn.

She is also lovingly remembered by her aunts and uncles: Sammye Dodd (the late Herbert Dodd Sr.), Geneva Smith (the late Garland Smith), Louise Butler and Homer Butler, Mary Woods and Fred Woods Sr., Shirley Booker (the late Joseph Booker), and William Odom (the late Betty Lloyd Odom).

She was preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, Myrtle Dodd Barnard and Rev. Orange Barnard; her aunt and uncle Earline Griffin and Hershel Griffin; her uncles Herbert Dodd Jr. and James Dodd Sr.; her cousins Michael Butler Sr., Janice Griffin, Cynthia Butler, and Sheila Smith; her cherished friend Jody Bryd; her beloved dog Roxie; and her late grand dog Malachi.

She also leaves behind many beloved cousins, extended family throughout Charleston and James Island, South Carolina, lifelong friends, former coworkers, neighbors, and countless others whose lives were touched by her kindness, wisdom, and compassion. Tanya truly never met a stranger.

Her legacy is one of love, quiet strength, service, and compassion. She taught us that life’s greatest accomplishments are not measured by titles or possessions, but by the people we love, the lives we touch, and the kindness we leave behind.

Memorial Service

A memorial service celebrating the life of Tanya Moore-Herring will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., at the Reedy River Family Life Center, 25 Lakewood Drive, Greenville, South Carolina 29607.

Dr. Aaron T. Brown Sr. will offer words of encouragement.

Receiving Family and Friends

The family will receive relatives and friends at the home of her daughter in Greenville, South Carolina.