Jean Henderson

Jean F. Henderson was born Eva Jean Farmer on June 14, 1926 as the only child to Charles L. and Eva V. Farmer. She began playing the piano at church when she was a teenager and taught piano lessons for several years in high school until after graduation. She went to one year of college at Trevecca College, where she met R.C. Henderson.
After her year of college, she had some brief jobs at Cain Sloans and Castner Knotts department stores. She and R.C dated for a year or so and then married in 1946. They bought their first house next door to her parents. They had their first child Karl Clinton in 1949. R.C was serving in the Navy at that time and Jean dedicated herself to being a new mother and military wife in Norfolk, VA. After Karl became sick, they got a transfer back to Nashville and Jean took care of Karl until he developed encephalitis. When the doctors told Jean and R.C that they could do nothing more to help, they brought him home and cared for him for two years until his death at the age of six. After Karl's death, she found her place working part time at sales and secretarial jobs while maintaining her role as a homemaker, seamstress, church piano player and sunday school teacher.
Several years later, Jean and R.C. were blessed with the birth of a daughter, Marsha, and two years later, the birth of their second daughter, Mylinda. Jean loved staying home in the early years to be a full-time mother. She loved to sew and make their outfits and loved being a mother. When her daughters went to school, she was always very involved in any school or Girl Scout functions and active in the PTA through elementary school years.
She loved to support her husband and was the best life teammate to him for sixty-eight years. She was a constant source of encouragement and love during all of his educational and vocational endeavors. In addition to supporting her husband, she cared for her aging mother and she visited her every day until she passed away, which was a true testament to her loyal character. She patiently persisted through many physical ailments including arthritis, thyroid cancer, herniated disks, congestive heart disease, and COPD. She was the most loving grandmother, always spoiling her grandchildren Eric and Amber. She took care of both of her grandchildren multiple days a week. Some of their favorite memories include how she always had the best meals prepared and always had the house stocked with food she knew they enjoyed. They fondly remember how she kept the same cheese squares and ice cream stocked for them even for years after they moved away. Amber remembers how everyday after school they would go to Dollar Tree to pick out toys and then Baskin Robbins to finish off the day and Eric remembers going on a trip with her to Lambert's for the throwd rolls. Jean ensured Amber knew how to properly shop and find the best deals, a quality that makes her think of her grandmother every time she goes to a store. She made sure that Eric did his homework, but only after he had something to eat. She cared for her family, friends, and neighbors dearly and often showed that love by baking her famous apple cakes. She absolutely loved people and loved serving others, especially in making food.
Her daughter Mylinda shared some of her favorite memories of her mom "My favorite memories of my Mom are late night talks when I was a teenager and her hugs. My mom knew how to love well! She was a true Southern Belle, and when she said "bless their hearts", she truly meant to bless their heart. She cared deeply for people, and her faith was so strong. Jean and R.C. would read the Bible daily, and she loved to listen to worship music, play the organ or piano, and sing hymns. Mom truly loved the Lord and didn't mind telling you her feelings about being a Christian. Mom loved to bake, and some of my favorite memories are in the kitchen helping her bake at Christmas or Thanksgiving. She was a wonderful grandmother, and when Eric was born, she was so helpful in teaching me how to be a good mother. I enjoyed being able to go shopping with her and taking the kids along - just hanging out and going to Sunday dinner was always great. Later in life, she would come to my house and make sure I fixed the Thanksgiving dressing just right and was always so supportive of my work and my family. She was always there if I needed her! She had a great inner strength. When I would want to give up or get down sometimes, she would tell me to pray and find the strength to keep going. She would also let me know when she felt I was making a bad decision or doing something wrong. She would let me know with love, but was always brutally honest. Mom loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor. She loved angels and had them all over the house. I know Mom is at home now with the angels and singing a beautiful song of praise and worship for the Lord. I was honored to call her my Mom and was so blessed to have her in my life."