Nelle Ann Henderson

Nelle Ann Flynn Henderson of Conway, Ark., died on Tuesday, December 8, at Conway Regional Medical Center. Her death was sudden and unexpected, and all the more shocking because she was such a vibrant personality. She was glitter and sparkle, feather boas and jewels, furs and leopard skin prints. Nelle was born in Little Rock, Ark., on March 23, 1939, to Edna Virginia Lipscomb Flynn and Morris McCoy Flynn who preceded her in death. Nelle grew up in Keo, graduated from nearby England Public Schools, and maintained a lifelong connection to her hometown. She continued to nurture friendships with her many Keo friends who were like family to her. After graduation, Nelle attended ASTC, now UCA, and received a Bachelor's degree in Music Education. She would later earn a Master's degree from UCA. During her early career, she used her considerable talent to teach voice at UCA. Her stunning contralto and regal carriage made her a much sought after performer. Her love of music and performing led her to help found and become a charter member of the Conway Community Arts Association. She was known for her performances in such productions as Lil Abner and South Pacific, but her most celebrated role was that of Mother Superior in The Sound of Music. Nelle was a gifted teacher. She taught private lessons and elementary school music, first in Illinois, but primarily in Conway. She worked at Ellen Smith Elementary School and then spent the majority of her 35-year teaching career at Julia Lee Moore Elementary School, where she was honored with the Teacher of the Year Award. She was known for her challenging music programs which allowed students to perform for audiences and develop as singers and actors. She was also known for mentoring music interns; her reputation was such that she was almost always teaching teachers as well as students. In recent years, Nelle became an avid bridge player. She belonged to the Conway Duplicate Bridge Club and several foursomes that met regularly. Her study of bridge allowed her to become a formidable opponent at the bridge table but also to teach others the nuances of the game. Her bridge friends became her family, just as her colleagues had when she was teaching. Survivors are the loves of her life, daughter Erika Henderson Perkins, granddaughter Lyla LaBella-Flynn Perkins, granddaughter McCarlee Jane Perkins, and beloved son-in-law Michael Perkins, all of Benton. This small family gave Nelle so much joy and happiness. She felt from them the same love and comfort she had given her own mother, Virginia. Also surviving is a dear cousin, Bryant Lipscomb of Fayetteville. Nelle is also survived by hundreds of students who benefitted from her musical talents and a world of friends whom she loved as family. A memorial service will be held at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, at 3 p.m. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Friends who wish to make a donation in Nelle's memory may do so by sending a gift to the music program at Julia Lee Moore Elementary School in Conway at 1301 Country Club Road, Conway, Ark. 72032. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/conway.