Some people walk through this world and leave footprints. Others leave pieces of their hearts behind in everyone they meet. Helen Wylodene Henderson was one of those rare and beautiful souls who did both.
On October 11, 2026, at the age of 88, our precious Helen peacefully closed her eyes to this world and opened them in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And while our hearts are heavy with the sadness of saying goodbye, we find comfort in knowing that what was an earthly farewell for us was a heavenly homecoming for her.
Born on January 20, 1938, Helen spent her life in the Strawberry Community, building something far more valuable than anything money could ever buy. She built a life overflowing with faith, family, laughter, beautiful memories, and a love that will continue long after her time here on earth.
To know Helen was to love her. She was warm, happy, funny, and beautiful, with a spirit that could make an ordinary day feel a little brighter. She had a way of making people feel welcome, a way of bringing joy into a room, and a way of loving that made you feel like you were exactly where you belonged. She was beautiful on the outside, but the beauty of her heart was what made her truly unforgettable.
Above all, Helen was a woman of unwavering Christian faith. As a lifetime member of Warrior Creek Baptist Church, her church was not simply somewhere she attended. It was part of who she was. Her faith was woven into the fabric of her life, reflected in the way she loved, the kindness she showed, and the example she set.
She had a special place in her heart for the children of her church. Perhaps that was because she understood something so important: that little hearts need big love, gentle encouragement, and people who will show them the goodness of Jesus.
Maw Hen loved angels. She collected them throughout her life, little reminders of heaven, hope, and the beauty of things we cannot always see. And how fitting it seems today that a woman who loved angels so dearly is now resting in the presence of the One who created them.
But of all the things Maw treasured, nothing on this earth compared to her family. She collected family memories just as lovingly as she collected her angels. Every birthday, every holiday, every gathering, every laugh, and every precious moment together became another treasure tucked away in her heart.
Her greatest happiness was simply being surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She didn’t need grand adventures or extravagant things. The people she loved were her greatest blessings, and time spent with them was her favorite place to be.
One of the sweetest gifts in her life was sharing her January 20th birthday with her great-granddaughter, Stella. What a beautiful bond they shared, celebrating the same special day across generations. It brought Wylodene so much joy to share that birthday with Stella, and now every January 20th will hold an even deeper meaning. It will forever be a celebration of two lives connected by love, and a reminder that some of the most beautiful gifts God gives us are the people we get to share our lives with.
Mom knew that family wasn’t measured by the number of people around a table, but by the love that filled the room. And what a beautiful, close-knit family she leaves behind. She was the proud and loving mother of four children: Dennis Henderson and his wife, Tammy; Denise Clark; Dave Henderson and Joe; and DeeAnna Berry and her husband, Mitch. Her love continued through her seven grandchildren: Brandon Clark; Casey Clark and his wife, Kristi; Nicholas Maze and his wife, Wendy; Amber Black and her husband, Matt; Jason Berry and his wife, Crystal; Britta Kiesler and her husband, Brian; and Stephanie Brock.
Her blessings grew even greater through her great-grandchildren: Mason Black and his wife, Carley; Gannon Black and his wife, Canaan; Stella Black; Marlow Wren Berry; Kayra Bright and her husband, Tyler; Caiti Clark; Grayson Clark; Rowan Kiesler; Collins Kiesler; Collin Brock; Gavin Brock; and Addie Henderson.
And what a remarkable blessing it was for Wylodene to see her family grow another generation through her precious great-great-grandchildren, Mills Gregory Black and Addie Mae Brock. Five generations of family. Five generations of love. What an extraordinary legacy for one beautiful woman to leave behind.
She is also lovingly remembered by her brother, Vandy Holaway and his wife Rhonda sisters-in-love, Martha Maze, Glenda McWhorter and her husband, Max, Virginia Blackmon, and Sandra King, along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends whose lives were made sweeter simply by knowing her.
But today, as we remember those she leaves behind, we also think of those who were waiting to welcome her home. Can you imagine the reunion? Waiting just inside those beautiful pearly gates was the love of her life, her beloved Bobby Joe Henderson. After the separation that death brings, what a glorious thought to imagine them together again, where there are no more goodbyes. And there to welcome her were her loving parents, Ray and Irene Holaway; her baby sister, Fayralene Holaway; and her son-in-law, Tony Clark. What a beautiful homecoming that must have been.
The Bible tells us in Revelation 21:4: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
For those of us left here, the tears are real. The empty place in our hearts is real. There will be moments when we wish for one more conversation, one more laugh, one more hug, or just one more ordinary afternoon spent together. But the beautiful thing about a life like Helen’s is that love like hers doesn’t end when a heartbeat stops. It lives on. It lives in the faces of her children, in the laughter of her grandchildren, in the little hands of her great-grandchildren, and in the newest generation that will grow up hearing stories about the wonderful woman who helped make their family what it is today. It lives in the traditions she helped create, the memories she made, the faith she passed down, and the countless little ways she taught her family what it means to love one another. And perhaps that is the most beautiful thing about her legacy. She didn’t just leave behind a family. She left behind a family who knows how to love because they were loved so well by her.
There is something especially comforting about knowing that Helen did not have to wonder where she was going. She spent her life loving Jesus, and on October 11th, she finally got to meet Him face to face. The Savior she worshipped, the heaven she believed in, and the promises she held close throughout her life became her beautiful reality.
We can almost imagine her hearing those precious words from Matthew 25:21: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
It is with love and gratitude that Helen’s family recognizes those serving as pallbearers:
Nicholas Maze, Brandon Clark, Casey Clark, Jason Berry, Mason Black, and Gannon Black.
Honorary Pallbearer: Grayson Clark.
Forever loved. Forever remembered. Forever home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to Aveanna Hospice
