Brenda Henderson Pratt

Brenda Henderson Pratt, age 76, of Mt. Ida, Ark., passed away January 19, 2019, after a long bout with cancer. She was born to the late Ted and Elsie Upton of Jasper, Ark., on April 18, 1942, and her childhood was spent in Jasper. After graduating from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Home Economics, she joined Extension Services as a Home Economist, with early assignments in Phillips County and Drew County, Ark. She married her high school sweetheart Jerry D. Henderson in 1963, and together raised two sons in the Mt. Ida, Ark., area where Brenda was the Home Economist Leader for Montgomery County for over 15 years. On the home front, Brenda and Jerry focused on family, school sporting events, and Razorback football and basketball games. In her work-life, Brenda enjoyed a long, rewarding career in the extension service, touching many lives and families over the years by fostering community service, youth development through local 4-H, and extension clubs. In addition, she tirelessly worked on health and wellness programs for the community. Brenda was widowed too soon but found happiness with her second husband Larry Pratt of Batesville, Miss., and was lovingly accepted into Larry's large extended family. Together they enjoyed traveling the world and going to SEC football and basketball games (WPS and Hotty-Totty!). After being widowed a second time, Brenda returned to Arkansas and lived in her lakeside retreat at ShangriLa on Lake Ouachita near Mt. Ida. Brenda is survived by son David Henderson of Mt. Ida, son Greg Henderson and wife Kelli of Bulverde, Texas, granddaughters Krisenda and Keeley, grandsons Jared and Tyler, sister Mavis and brother-in-law Clint Waggoner of Austin, Texas, numerous nieces and nephews, and a large family of Pratt step-kin. Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home. A celebration of Brenda's life will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Joplin United Methodist Church. A graveside service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to CASA of Hot Springs, Ark., (508 Ouachita Ave., Hot Springs, Ark., 71901) or Joplin United Methodist Church. (59 Mountain Harbor Road, Mount Ida, Ark., 71957). Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.