Joyce Henderson

Joyce (Jean) Imogene Henderson, 86, beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, was called to her eternal resting place on April 1st, 2020. She entered this world on September 19th, 1933 in Loretta, Tennessee, born to Ezra Deskon Smith and Sarah Pearl Smith. Jean was married to the love of her life William (Bill) Sidney Henderson in Tishomingo County, Mississippi on October 12th, 1951. Bill and Jean remained faithful to each other and happily married for 53 plus years. They settled in Hobbs, New Mexico in 1959.

Jean gave birth to four beautiful children and fostered numerous children in her glorious days on earth. Jean was a faithful servant of God and enjoyed living her life spreading the gospel. She was famously known as the “Electrifying Smile” that greeted everyone for many years at the doors of several churches and as the greeter at K-Mart. Her incredible personality and energetic spirit was admired by anyone who encountered her. Jean thrived in the presence of and was proud to share any loving story of her great family. Her positive influence and guidance helped many to see the silver lining in life and get through difficult times. She never knew a stranger. Jean will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband William (Bill) Sidney Henderson. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her father-in-law William Roger Henderson, her mother-in-law Addie Mable Henderson, two sisters Betty (Deanie) Hudson and Sue Childers, her son-in-law Ron Ridley, and several other family members.

Jean is survived by her four children, son Gary Henderson & his wife Mary Henderson of Paris, Texas, her daughter Patricia Ridley of Hobbs, New Mexico, son Jerry Henderson of Eunice, New Mexico, and son Roger Henderson & his wife Jennifer Henderson of Odessa, Texas, and her sister, Lourilla Pettit of Houston, TX and several nieces and nephews.  Jean is also survived by eleven grandchildren and their spouses, fifteen great-grandchildren and their spouses and two great-great grandchildren.