Helen Henderson

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Helen Juanita Henderson, 78, of Olive Branch passed away Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, at her home with her family by her side.

She was born Oct. 6, 1934, daughter of Arthur and Mattie Garrett. She met the love of her life, Vernon Henderson, and they were married Feb. 14, 1949. He passed away Sept. 10, 2006.

Helen was a devoted mother of seven children. She also worked at Southeast Hospital and Saint Francis Medical Center until her health prevented her from working. She was a member of Alexander Free Will Baptist Church.

She is survived by three sons, Larry (Judy Zeschke) Henderson, Paul Henderson and Gary (Angie) Henderson, all of Olive Branch; two daughters, Brenda (George) Calvert of Murphysboro, Ill., and Rose (Melvin) Lawrence of Tamms, Ill.; 18 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sons, four brothers, two sisters, two grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, and from 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday at Alexander Free Will Baptist Church.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. Earnest Brown officiating. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery at Thebes, Ill.