Olene Hendricks Handley

Olene Hendricks Handley went to be with her Lord on Sunday, January 5, 2014 in Houston, Texas. Olene was an amazing daughter, wife, mother and friend. Born on August 2, 1913 in Groesbeck, Texas, her life spanned most of the important events of the 20th century. Olene’s life was marked by three significant categories, her love of family, her patriotism, and her relationship with the Lord. In her early years, she participated in the war effort through her service as a dental hygienist and through her service for the Red Cross. She would fondly recall the times she would gather with other women to roll bandages and perform sacrificial service for the troops. She was a devoted daughter and sister during that time as she often recounted the story of going to church and praying for her brothers as they were crossing the Rhine River and during other strategic campaigns of WWII. This led to future participation in such groups as Concerned Women of America, Pro America, and the Senatorial Inner Circle. She also volunteered in Houston through the Assistance League and as a volunteer for St. Luke’s Hospital in its early days.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Frazer Handley. Olene and Herb were known throughout Houston as a fun and social couple and were enjoyed by many. Early in their marriage they were part of the Shamrock Hotel, Cork Club, and Corral Club circles. Along with her husband, Herb, she was an original resident of Tanglewood where she lived until her death. During her life there she enjoyed membership in several private clubs as well as being an early member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. She also served as a Cottage Hostess for Bayou Bend for several years. She was a former member of Bethel Independent Presbyterian Church and also attended Second Baptist Church. Her favorite Sunday School Class at Second Baptist was “Nothing but the Truth”. Olene was well known as a devoted daughter and set the example of caring for and honoring her mother, Lura Jane Hendricks. She made many trips to Groesbeck, TX over the years seeing to every detail and spending as much time as possible with her mother.

Her life was again dramatically changed with the late-in-life adoption of her only child, Lura Jane. Overnight she went from the bridge club to the nursery. She embraced and enjoyed all that motherhood encompasses. In the mid 1970’s Olene’s life turned toward God more deeply as she began to study the Bible and appreciate Christ’s saving grace for her. She embraced all that Romans 10:9 had to say: “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” She set about making sure all of her family and friends knew about this truth. She devoted her time and life in many Christian organizations such as Bible Study Fellowship, various prayer groups, and church life. It was her greatest desire for her family and friends to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

She is preceeded in death by her mother and father, Otis and Lura Jane Hendricks as well as her three sisters and two brothers: Laura Bon Maddox, Mary Alice McGowen, Mildred Cox, James Hendricks and Frank Hendricks. She is survived by her daughter, Lura Jane Handley Munford and her husband, Forrest Munford and her granddaughters, Sara Jane and Grace Munford. The family would like to express its deepest, heartfelt appreciation to the following: Dr. Cynthia Williams and her staff of the Medical Clinic of Houston, Dr. Timothy Connolly of Pulmonary Critical Care Clinic, St. Luke’s Hospital, and her devoted caregivers Sandra Juaregui, Carla Reyes, Angie Monroy, and Olga Velasquez. In lieu of flowers, Olene Handley’s life would be best remembered through donations to Bible Study Fellowship or Dallas Theological Seminary.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family beginning at one o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 10th of January, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston followed by the funeral service to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon officiated by West Brazelton, Senior Pastor of Grace Bible Church. Olene’s family invites you to share in celebrating her life by joining them in an ice cream social immediately following the service in the Grand Foyer. A private entombment will follow after the reception.