Virginia Cleo Hersman

Virginia Cleo Hersman, age 92, passed peacefully from this life on July 18, 2026, with her loving family by her side. She resided in Cincinnati, OH but due to failing health, she spent her later years in Kingsport, TN.

On September 17, 1933, she was born on the family farm in Scott County, VA, the 5th of 11 children, to the late Wesley A. and Gladys P. Collings.

With only an eighth-grade education, Cleo left home for Baltimore, MD, where she told a restaurant owner she didn't have a lot of skills, but she could wash dishes and clean tables. That humble beginning was the start of a long, successful career in the restaurant industry. Through common sense, hard work, and determination, she advanced up the ladder, becoming a District Manager with White Castle and retired at age 70.

In addition to her parents, Cleo is preceded in death by her son, Ricky Wayne Hersman and daughter, Anita Marie Weigel-Manis; three brothers, James Welford Collings, Charles L. Collings, and Ervin L. Collings; five sisters, Kathleen Marcum, Ruby Hutton, Evelyn Shamburger, Isabell Monroe, and Shirley Jackson.

Survivors include three grandsons, Wesley Weigel of Kingsport, TN, Richard Manis Jr. of Kingsport, TN, and Adam Thomas of Cincinnati, OH; four great-granddaughters, Phoenix Weigel, Kylee Thomas, Allee Thomas, and Lillee Thomas; one sister, Ilene Fletcher, Clinchport, VA; one brother, Lloyd Collings and his wife, Judy Collings of Kingsport, TN; one brother-in-law, Leon Jackson of Johnson City, TN; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Carter Trent Funeral Home in Kingsport. A funeral service will follow with Pastor Gary Adkins officiating.

A graveside service will follow at Holston View Cemetery with Wesley Weigel, Richard Manis Jr., Gene Collings, David McMillion, Keven Collings, and Robert Clark serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Collings, Jimmy Collings, Ted Fletcher Jr., Donnie Collings, Ronnie Collings and Terry Collings

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff of The Villages at Allendale for the exceptional care, kindness, and dignity they showed Cleo during her time there. Your love, patience, and support brought comfort not only to her, but to our entire family, and will always be remembered with sincere appreciation.

Carter-Trent Funeral Home – Kingsport is serving the Hersman family.