Nancy Mabel Henderson

Nancy Mabel Henderson, affectionately known as "Ma", 99, of England, Ark. left this world to be with the Lord on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013 peacefully at England Nursing and Rehab. Ma was born on May 25, 1914 to Eric and Katherine Herman. She graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1931 and the Arkansas State Teacher's College in 1934. After college, Ma taught school before meeting and marrying Joe S. Henderson Sr., also known as "Ja" in 1939. Steve, the first of three sons, was born in 1943. Also during this time, Ma had a private flying license and piloted her Cessna 140 plane to make flights to survey the White River flood waters from above and report the information back via newspaper articles. Sons Pat and Mike were soon born when the couple moved to Des Arc in 1945. At this time, Ma's love for shooting began and she won the Arkansas Women's State Championship in both skeet and trap. In addition, Ma's top shooting skills qualified her for the first team All American Trapshooting Team and Jimmy Robinson's All-American Team for two years. In 1951, the couple returned to England, Ark. to settle and raise their family. Ma and her family were proud members of the First United Methodist Church of England. She and Ja both served on the Board of Stewards. Ma taught Sunday school and was an active member of her Circle for many years. The Henderson's were also active members of the community and both served on the Board of the England Country Club. Ma was the Titlist of the Women's Golf Association for several years. She was a proud Life Master Bridge player in the American Contract Bridge League. Ma was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters; one brother; her husband of 59 years, Joe S. Henderson Sr.; two sons; Joe S. Henderson Jr. and Michael Winn Henderson; and a daughter-in-law, Lauren Kay Henderson. She is survived by her son, Pat Herman Henderson (Karon) and daughter-in-law; Paula Henderson both of England, Ark.; six grandchildren, Joe S. Henderson, III (Andria); Frank Henderson (Sabrina); Blake Henderson (Rachael); Cassie Henderson, Robert Winn Henderson, and Jamey Miller (Tina); eight great grandchildren, Joe Stephen, Patrick, Ashley, Parker, Taylor, and Evan; two step great-grandchildren, Taylor and Seren and a host of family and friends. Visitation will be Monday, Nov. 18 from 5-7 p.m. at Roller-England Home (501) 842-3939. Funeral services will be Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. also at the Roller-England Funeral Home, followed by interment at Mulberry Cemetery in England, Ark. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church of England. Please send the family your messages of love, comfort, and support to Ma's online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/england.