Carmen Henderson Ferrell

Carmen Henderson Ferrell died Sunday, November 1, in peace and with grace. She was 90. The nearly decade long tussle with dementia did not diminish her steadfast faith, her indelible kindness, and her love of those around her.

She was preceded in death by her husband Walton Ferrell, Sr. and her parents Echie and Myrtle Henderson.

But for a stint in Florida with her cousin and best gal pal Lillian Henderson Archer, Carmen was a lifelong resident of Raleigh, and a graduate of Cary High School and Peace College.

She began her career in the administrative pool at the US Naval Base in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. While Lillian recalls Carmen turning heads of many an officer, Carmen rather cherished the memory of dancing to the music of the most famous bandleaders of the time -- Benny Goodman, Xavier Cugat, Kay Keyser, Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey.

The always luminous Carmen returned to Raleigh to be closer to the dashingly handsome and gifted athlete she would later marry.

In August 1947, Carmen Henderson married Walton Ferrell at First Baptist Church of Raleigh, where both she and Walt became life-long members. At First Baptist, Carmen was a devoted member of the Mary Martha Sunday School Class and the 39er’s.

A child of the Great Depression, Carmen blossomed into a dedicated and strong-willed career woman in the shadow of the war. With enthusiasm, charm, and her thousand watt smile she powered through a long and much commended career working both with state and federal government departments including the NC Department of Education, Selective Service (Draft Board), and Federal Highway Administration of the US Department of Transportation.

In many ways Carmen embodied the spirit of modern American womanhood. She thrived on being on her feet, on the move. In addition to the formidable demands of her professional life and the rigors of raising three boys, she embraced the charitable projects of the service organization Opti-Mrs. She was always on the ready for the Fireman’s Auxiliary, often working day or night with other firemen’s wives, preparing food to sustain their husbands while they fought fires.

In her later years Carmen was tireless as a caregiver simultaneously to her mother and her husband. Yet, in spite of all the demands placed on her, she drew on a seemingly bottomless reserve of grit to maintain a lush garden, a bountiful kitchen, and a warm, welcoming home.

Carmen is survived by her three sons Walton, Jr. (Srinath Jayaram) of Raleigh, Steve (Susan) of Naples, FL, and Larry (Amanda) of Washington, DC; grandchildren John and Will Ferrell, great-granddaughters Brianna and Kaytlin Dittl, brother Billy Henderson, favorite cousin Lillian Henderson Archer of Homestead, FL, and many nieces and nephews.

As she coped with the challenges wrought by dementia, Carmen’s life was comforted and greatly enriched by the generosity, patience, and skill of caregivers Susan Ngigi and Johnnie Blow.

The family will receive friends Thursday, November 5, from 6pm to 8pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Road, Raleigh. A service celebrating Carmen’s life will be held Friday, November 6, 11am, First Baptist Church, 99 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh. A private burial will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Music Ministry, First Baptist Church of Raleigh, 99 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27603, or Millbrook Enrichment Center, Millbrook United Methodist Church, 1712 E. Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27609.