Ella Mae Henderson

Ella Mae Henderson, 82, of Topeka, received her wings into the house of the Lord on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at The Gardens of Aldersgate. She fought a long battle with dementia. Ella was born June 13, 1941 in Clarksville, Texas, the daughter of Henry and Charlene (Nolan) Henderson. Ella attended ISD public schools of Clarksville, Texas.

Ella married Horace E. Henderson, Sr. in 1959 and they relocated to Kansas soon after. She was employed by the Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center for 28 years before retiring in 2013. Ella was a member of the New Jerusalem Baptist Church since 1960. She wore many hats at the church to include Head Usher, Choir President, Assistant Treasurer and Head of the Kitchen Committee.

Ella enjoyed cooking and sharing with family and friends, and yes, "She could cook." Ella's all-time hobby was fashion and she was known for her classy ways of dressing any time, any place. She also loved to travel and she traveled around the world visiting her loved ones. She also supported her grandson's journey into becoming a professional actor. Ella also traveled to her home town homecoming celebrations every two years, Mt. Olive Church in Clarksville.

Ella had a kind heart and was the kindest person who might not give you the shirt off of her back, but she would make sure you had one. She said what she meant, and she meant what she said, period. Ella was a kid at heart and enjoyed raising her children She also raised several family members children along the way. It was no secret that she could be seen playing outdoor sports with her children. She enjoyed going to all of their functions and was always the biggest cheerleader. She also played softball with the VA's Dietary team.

Ella was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Charlene (Nolan) Henderson Johnson. brothers, Louis Henderson and George Allen "Honey Man" Johnson. sisters, Corine Walker, Everlene Williams, Doris Henderson. daughter Gwendolyn Henderson Lewis, and grandson, William Lewis, Jr.

Ella is survived by her husband of 64 years, Horace E. Henderson, Sr., sons, Horace Henderson, Jr., of Topeka, Lonnie Henderson of Lansing, Kansas, daughters, Lillie Henderson of Atlanta, Georgia, and Lillian Henderson-Hopper of Topeka. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Adrian Hopper, Sr. of Topeka, Antwayn Hopper of New York, New York, Bobby Lewis of New York, Latitia Lewis of Topeka, Valencia Grimes of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Arlinda Grimes of Birmingham, Alabama. Twenty-one great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, her siblings, Henry Henderson of Topeka, Alberta "Shirley" Benn of Fort Worth, Texas and a host of extended family and friends.

Ella was also the proud Foster Grandmother to eighteen girls and treated them like they were her own. The family would also like to recognize her special nurse, Cipriana Alejos.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave. where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Alzheimer's Association of Overland Park, 8001 Conser, Ste. 240, Overland Park, Kansas 66204.

"The hardest thing is watching somebody you love forget that they love you."

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