Reba A. Henson

Reba was born on September 22, 1929 to Dick (Richard) Richardson and Ethel Emmons Richardson in Madill, Oklahoma. She was delivered by her grandmother, Grandma Mollie, as no doctor was available. She lived in Madill on a hog farm with an extended family where she raised hogs, chickens, and picked cotton. She has a little sister, Mary, whom she dearly loved. She was raised during the depression where jobs were scarce and her family moved, as far away as Mobile, Alabama. She had a challenging life, growing up in the depression, with jobs being few and far between, and developed an appreciation for the small, simple things, like a piece of chocolate, new shoes, a pretty new dress, and a steady job. Returning “home” to Madill Reba met the love of her life Everett Lee (Ebb) at Ebb’s father’s grocery store in Madill. They married in 1948 and remained in Madill until Ebb was drafted in 1951 and chose to join the Air Force. After basic training in Texas, Ebb was then stationed at McChord AFB in Tacoma, Washington, until he went overseas to Korea, and Reba returned to Madill to stay with her parents until Ebb’s return to the US. They were then stationed at Sewart AFB in Tennessee where their only child, Terri (Theresa) was born. They desired to return to the Pacific Northwest and were transferred to Larson AFB in Moses Lake, Washington, and then moved to Tacoma, Washington. They returned “home” to Oklahoma where Reba continued her civil service career, at FAA, until she retired in 1989. Reba was known at FAA as “the red head with the smile in her voice.” Reba and Ebb had “young love that lasted a lifetime,” and beyond. Reba was a member of Putnam City Baptist Church, which she joined upon their move to OKC. She enjoyed teaching Sunday School, reading, dancing, playing games, especially crazy domino games with their best friends, The Moores. She loved her God, her family, her friends and her life. She loved to tease and be teased, and loved to smile and laugh.

She is survived by her daughter Terri, son-in-law Don, grandson Ryan, sister Mary, brother-in-law Homer Ray, 2 nephews and their wives and children. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Quail Creek Assisted Living Memory Care and Transitions Hospice for the care and compassion they have shown Reba and her family.