Gladys Marie Henderson

March 5, 1925 – June 29, 2016

Gladys Marie Henderson, 91, of Wenatchee walked into the presence of Jesus on Wednesday evening, June 29, 2016. Gladys is survived by her daughter, Karen Glass of Moses Lake, Wash. and her sons, Larry Henderson, of Wenatchee, Wash. and Kevin Henderson of Juneau, Alaska. Gladys was blessed by seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, sister Myrtis Minor in 2002, brother Clifford Williams in 2005, brother Curtis Williams in 2006 and her husband Elton Henderson in 2008.

Gladys was born March 5, 1925, in Dyer, Ark., the daughter of Clarence Alby Williams (1884–1956) and mother Almira Louise Cooper (1889-1973). She was the youngest of four children. In her early years the family lived in Ash Flat, Ark., before moving to Wenatchee, Wash. in 1937 when she was 12.

On Dec. 6, 1947, she married the love of her life, Elton Henderson. At the time of Elton’s death in 2008 they had been married 61 years. They began their lives together in Wenatchee. They also lived in Moses Lake, Wash. and Spokane, Wash. before returning to Wenatchee in 1970. For many years Gladys and Elton were active members of the Okanogan Street Church of Christ, which later became the Kings Orchard Church of Christ.

Gladys happily and proficiently served as an extraordinarily successful homemaker for most of her adult life, and it was from this place that she practiced unconditional love and steadfast service to all who entered her life. She was very frugal and always kept her home clean and tidy. Gladys loved animals, especially cats, and had a deep conviction that all animals should be cared for and protected. Throughout the course of her life she adopted and cared for many stray cats and they gave her great comfort in her later years.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life for all family and friends at the Wenatchee City Cemetery at a future date in August.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her honor can be made to the Wenatchee Humane Society at www.wenatcheehumane.org/donatenow, and/or the Salvation Army at www.salvationarmyusa.org.