TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Julia Wilburn on Jul 10, 2023

Dresden attorney and former Democratic lawmaker Roy Herron passed away on Sunday due to injuries sustained in a jet ski accident on July 1. He was 69. The former chair of the Tennessee Democratic party, Herron served a combined 26 years in the state’s House and Senate, where he became floor leader and caucus chair for the Democrats. A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, Herron was also one of the first students to earn joint degrees in divinity and law from Vanderbilt University. Herron is the author of three books, including "Things Held Dear: Soul Stories for My Sons." He recently attended TBA’s convention in Knoxville to participate in a book signing. TBA President Jim Barry says, “Roy was a credit to our profession and a great Tennessean. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends, and his family is in our thoughts and prayers.” Herron is survived by his wife of 36 years, Rev. Nancy Carol Miller-Herron, his three sons, John, Rick and Benjamin; his brother, Ben; and many cousins, nephews and nieces. Funeral arrangements are pending, but services are expected to be held on Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Martin.