Henri Etta Kilgore

A life well lived. Henri Etta Proctor Kilgore, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed into the presence of her Lord early in the morning of June 4, 2019 surrounded by her family.

Celebration of Life: Monday, June 10, 2019 at 11 a.m. Agape Baptist Church,3900 Southwest Blvd., Fort Worth, TX. Viewing will be at Laural Land Funeral Home on Sunday, June 9 from 3-5 p.m.

Henri Etta was born in Paragould, Arkansas on January 3, 1928 to Maggie and Nelson Proctor. A life-long Baptist, she was an active member of the First Baptist Church teaching Sunday School classes and working in her community on mission projects with her grandmother.

In 1948, God began a new chapter of her life when a local businessman encouraged her to attend Quachita Baptist University. Roy Kilgore saw her step off the train in Arkadelphia, AR, and two hearts began a journey of love, faith, and service that would not be interrupted for 49 years until Roy was called to his eternal home.

Henri Etta and Roy were married in 1949 and together served in churches throughout Arkansas and Texas in church music. In the early years they traveled with a group to the Bahamas and helped build the First Baptist Church Bahamas. In 1954 they moved to Fort Worth, TX and joined Gambrell Street Baptist where Henri Etta was asked to begin a pre-K children’s choir program in the late 1950s. She was blessed to continue her work well into her 70’s at University Baptist Church and finally at Agape Baptist Church where she was a charter member. Every Wednesday night she had a car full of grandkids and neighborhood children who would be introduced to the love of God through children’s music.

Henri Etta and Roy raised four children, LynnEtte Kilgore Mayo, Roy L. Kilgore II, Lisa Kilgore Witcher, and Jon Proctor Kilgore.

Henri Etta never met a child she didn’t immediately love. She taught her children that the home was not just for blood family, but that all of God’s children were welcome at her table. Through the years over 50 young adults were encouraged and nourished with the Biblical principles of love and acceptance. She was always ready with a homemade cookie, a story to make you think, and a word of encouragement and guidance.

Professionally, Henri Etta was accomplished in many areas. She worked in education and the business world in banking and accounting, but was proudest of her 33 years spent working with the Marketing and Graphic Design Department of Texas Christian University from which she retired in July, 2013.

Henri Etta spent most of her adult life writing and teaching Bible study lessons. She often said she was just an instrument of the Holy Spirit communicating the message to any who would read her words. She enjoyed challenging the ladies in her beloved Agape Baptist Faith Builders Class to move beyond the words on the page of scripture to a life of prayer, spiritual growth, and action.

Henri Etta is survived by her daughters LynnEtte Kilgore Mayo and Lisa Kilgore Witcher, her sons Roy L. Kilgore and wife, Margaret Kilgore, and Jon P. Kilgore and wife, Dana Kilgore, 13 grandchildren and spouses and 21 great grandchildren.

Henri Etta always taught that God sent angels to guide and direct you before you even knew you needed them. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Texas Health Resources Southwest, especially Derick and Stanley, who guided and encouraged our beloved Mom with kindness and God’s love and grace in a very difficult time. We are grateful to the angels of mercy from Hospice Plus who walked along side our family in Henri Etta’s final days as she prepared for her journey to her final home in Heaven.