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Marty Henry

Funeral services for Martha Mae Henry, 90, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at the First United Methodist Church, West Plains, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral home.

 

Marty, as she was known by her friends, passed away November 11, 2018.

 

Marty was born July 10, 1928, and was the only child of Paschall O. Johnson and Mamie M. (Wadley) Johnson. She attended West Plains Public Schools and graduated from West Plains High School in 1946. In her junior year she was selected for membership in the Quill and Scroll Society, an achievement of which she was most proud. While in her senior year of high school Marty met the love of her life, Harold Henry, also of West Plains. Harold and Marty got married on March 14, 1948 and made West Plains their home for a period of time before moving to Willow Springs. While living in Willow Springs, Marty gave birth to two of their three children, sons Lynn and Don. In 1951, the family moved to Springfield so Harold could attend college at Southwest Missouri State (now MSU). They later moved to Columbia for Harold to attend law school. While in Columbia, Marty worked in the pathology lab at the University of Missouri Medical School. In 1956, they moved to Jefferson City where Harold worked as an Assistant Attorney General of the State of Missouri. A few months after moving to Jefferson City, their daughter, Terre, was born. In December 1957, the Henry Family moved back to West Plains which became their permanent home. While Harold and Marty lived in Jefferson City they became members of the First Methodist Church and were faithful members of the church for the remainder of their lives. Both Marty and Harold taught Sunday school for a number of years. Harold taught high schoolers and Marty taught the younger elementary age children. Marty also helped with Vacation Bible School for a number of years and was one of the organizers of the Friendship Circle Preschool. Marty was an avid golfer, making 9 hole in ones. She enjoyed playing with her lady friends and Harold in the Cat and Dog League. She and Harold also enjoyed crappie fishing in the spring and fall for a number of years. Although Harold usually caught the most fish, Marty caught the big one, a 2 ¾ lb. crappie, and had it mounted and hung on his law office wall as a reminder to Harold that she caught the biggest one. When the weather was cold and she could not do things outside, Marty’s favorite pastimes were reading and doing needlework, especially cross-stitching. Her favorite subject was cross-stitching bible verses and prayers, framing them and giving them to family and friends at Christmas time. Marty was a member of the Women’s Federated Library Club and served as President, Secretary and Historian of the club for a number of years. She particularly enjoyed giving the history of the library club to new members. She was also a member of the Philanthropic Women for Education and she was a lifetime member of the Friends of Garnet Library. In 1995, Marty and Harold established a scholarship fund for students attending the West Plains campus of MSU who were in need of financial assistance. Over the years they helped over 50 students obtain their college educations. Following Harold’s death in 2007, Marty volunteered two afternoons a week at Brooke Haven Health Care until she physically became unable to help. Marty’s children described her as a devoted wife and exceptional mother. When the kids were in grade school, Marty served as a homeroom mother and was very active in the PTA. She and Harold always attended the children’s ballgames, concerts and school functions. Marty also served as a cub scout den mother and a brownie and girl scouts leader. Marty was revered by her family for her cooking, most notably her homemade rolls, sugar cookies, German Chocolate cake and pies, and she loved showing her grandchildren how to cook.

 

She is survived by three children, Lynn Henry and wife, Becky, West Plains, Don Henry and wife, Connie, West Plains, and Terre Franken and husband, John, Carrolton, MO; five grandchildren, Jennifer Donn Davis, Jason Richman Henry, Regan Lynn Henry, Sarah Emily (Franken) Bernard and Laura Elizabeth Franken; two step-grandchildren, Pamela Tackitt and Megan Dorris; three great-granddaughters, Brina Jacen Davis, Kaelyn Nicole Henry and Cora Mae Bernard; three great-grandsons, Bode Mack Henry, Dylan Tribble and Asher John Bernard; three step-great-grandsons, Joshuah Jeffery, Jeremiyah Jeffery and Trintan Hendrix; and two step-great-granddaughters, Hayley Dawn Tackitt and Kierstin Renae Tackitt.

 

Mrs. Henry will lie in state from 1:00 until 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials in Marty’s honor be made to the Friendship Circle Preschool of the First United Methodist Church or CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate for children) and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.robertsondrago.com.