JoAnn Henderson

JoAnn Henderson

1934-2016

The “Life Tapestry” of JoAnn Henderson of Edmond, Oklahoma began at her birth on the 13^th of July 1934 with the final weave completed on the 05^th of September 2016.

JoAnn was the only daughter of Timothy Asberry and Elsie Inez Stallings Barnette and was born in the small community of Henderson, Alabama. JoAnn’s early years were spent growing up on a modest homestead of 80 acres that was inherited from her maternal grandparents, James and Elizabeth Stallings. The homestead house was enlarged with a newer version due to the expansion of the family which included JoAnn and five Barnette brothers, Harold Adolph, James Lloyd, Charles Thomas, Jim Stallings, and Jerry Timothy. JoAnn attended a three room school at Henderson, Alabama for her elementary education. She was an excellent student and excelled in arithmetic, reading, and spelling. Her family moved to Montgomery, Alabama for work in 1946. Two years later her family returned to their home in Henderson where she entered Goshen High School and graduated four years later in 1952. JoAnn continued to be an exemplary student and was popular among both students and teachers alike. She was a four year member of the Beta Club, three year captain of the cheerleaders, and was often honored for her talent and leadership in academics, drama, and music at school among her peers. She always cherished her relationships from her early school years throughout her life and remained close to many friends and cherished recounting memories through school reunions. Upon graduation of high school, JoAnn began a vocational career as a medical transcriptionist at Beard Hospital in Troy, Alabama. This sparked an interest and passion for the medical community that would follow her throughout her life.

In 1954, JoAnn married Calvin L. Henderson of Eclectic, Alabama and shortly after their marriage, they moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama where she served as an office manager for a team of medical specialists. While in Tuscaloosa, Calvin and JoAnn welcomed two sons to the world, Richard Barnette Henderson and Griff Neilson Henderson. In 1965, the family moved to Edmond, Oklahoma to support the new career of Calvin. JoAnn and Calvin were charter members of Henderson Hills Baptist Church in Edmond, Oklahoma, and she was a very active volunteer for Wednesday Night Suppers and membership of numerous church committees. JoAnn was known as a gracious hostess and often offered a helping hand. She was a Home room mother for her sons, and supported them both in Scouting and Athletics for many years. JoAnn was also the “Team Mom” for the Henderson Hills Boys softball team for many years and watched over them in two trips to the ASA National Youth Tournament after they won the championship of Oklahoma.

After her husband Calvin retired from the clothing industry, he later acquired his real estate license and they worked together as a team in that industry with Prudential. JoAnn’s heart was always in the medical community and she volunteered for service at Edmond/OU Hospital for many years and so very much enjoyed the people she worked with and the patients she helped serve. She was once named as the volunteer of the year for her work there.

JoAnn’s family was so very important to her and she is survived by both of her son’s who also live in Edmond. Her eldest son is Richard Barnette Henderson and wife Cindy, grandson, Brock Henderson, and granddaughter, Lauren and her husband Jeff Mains in addition to three great-grandsons, Brody, Brixton, and Cash Mains.

Her youngest son is Griff Neilson Henderson and his wife Shari, and grandson’s, Kirt Henderson, and Clay Henderson and wife Hannah. JoAnn is survived by two very special sister-in-laws, Carolyn Barnette of Dothan, Alabama, and Sue Barnette of Troy, Alabama along with numerous loved nieces, nephews, and many extended family friends. JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Calvin Henderson in March 2014, and all five of her brothers.

JoAnn’s parents and brothers are buried in her family’s cemetery in Hopewell, Alabama. She loved her home state and often reflected on its beauty and the kind spirit of its people. JoAnn was known as a giving person who often put the needs of others before her own. She loved and served her family and friends with a special spirit. JoAnn’s acts of kindness, generosity, and loyalty endeared herself to many throughout her life. She often reached out to others to make them feel welcome. Ultimately, her faith in God and acceptance of Jesus at age 9 and reliance on His provision and His Grace sustained her throughout her life, and has now given her a new life as she passed through Faith in His salvation into God’s plan and new job in His eternal kingdom.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday September 9, 2016 at Waterloo Road Baptist Church with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Viewing will be Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Matthews Funeral Home – Edmond. If led to give a monetary donation, please direct gifts to the Waterloo Road Baptist Church benevolence fund.