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Dorothy Jean Henson
Dorothy Jean Henson, 91, died May 10, 2008, at Saint Mary’s Regional Hospital in Reno, Nev., where she had recently relocated to be near family. She was born July 19, 1916, to Elizabeth Jean Sloan Goodman and Robert Clark Goodman in Terrell. She graduated from East Texas State College (now Texas A and M University-Commerce) with an education degree and taught in Crandall. She married Robert William Henson June 12, 1938, and moved to Greenville where she made her home and lifelong friends for the next 70 years. Very active in the community and in her church, Kavanaugh United Methodist, she held a number of leadership positions: President of the Travis Elementary, Greenville Junior High and Greenville High School PTAs, Girl Scout leader, and Cub Scout Den Mother, Pink Ladies, Garden Club chairman, and various offices of the Junior Pallas Club, of which she was a founding member. As program chairman of the Junior Pallas Club one year, she may be remembered for hosting a style show of lingerie from the Henson showrooms. At the conclusion it was announced that Mrs. Henson would be modeling her own lovely sleepwear. She appeared with mussed hair, a coffee cup in hand, in her husband’s pajamas. Her laugh and humorous take on life were legendary. She loved to entertain and was a superb cook, be it a large company meeting, a church group or weekly family dinners when she gathered with her family. Several local organizations and her grandchildren enjoyed the guided nature tours of the Texas wildflowers she led at their home on Lake Tawakoni. The flora and fauna of the region were her delight and expertise. Many who were ill or just needed cheering up became the recipients of the bounty from her flower and vegetable gardens. The bounty from her heart was the greatest gift of all. She is lovingly remembered and cherished by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Maureen Butler and Elizabeth Goodman; her husband Robert Henson 1993; three grandchildren, Trace Henson 1974, Michael Henson 2001 and Debra Wallace Cleveland 2007; and daughter-in-law Sally Anderson Henson 1975.She is survived by daughters Jeannie Agee (Ben) and Carolyn Norman (Bob) of Reno, Nev., and sons Robert Henson Jr. (Kitty) of Raleigh, N.C., and John Henson (Nancy) of Greenville. She leaves eight surviving grandchildren, Melinda Wallace Slaughter (John), Rodney Wallace (Sheryl), Addie LaDuke (Cameron), Sarah Lyle, Erin Weed (Gabe), John C. Henson (Kelly), Bradley Henson and Dylan Bost (Kim); 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial services for Dorothy Henson are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 7, in Kavanaugh United Methodist Church with Rev. Larry George and Rev. Jim Goodwin officiating. Following the service the family will receive friends at the church. Memorials may be made to the Kavanaugh Chancel Choir or Biblical Garden, 2516 Park Street, Greenville, 75401.
The Herald Banner, June 1, 2008
Submitted by Elaine Nall Bay
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