Sharon Henderson

Sharon was born on July 17, 1934, in Sweetwater, Texas, to Irye Lanier Townsend and Helen Maurine Townsend. As an honored scholar, Sharon graduated from Shawnee Mission High School (now SM North) in 1952, UMKC in 1957, and later received her Master's in Education from KU. While at UMKC, she met the love of her life, John Earl Henderson, Jr. They were married shortly after graduation in 1957.

Sharon was a dedicated teacher in the Shawnee Mission School District for many years. This included 10 year of teaching kindergarten at Oak Park Elementary. She inspired her students to work hard to reach their full potential - all in an atmosphere of love, acceptance, and encouragement. Often after school, there was a line of past students who would drop by to get hugs and a smile from Mrs. Henderson.

Upon retiring from teaching, Sharon began serving as a volunteer chaplain at Overland Park Regional Medical Center and began assisting with weekly church services at Delmar Gardens nursing home. Her cheery smile and sincere prayers brought joy and comfort to the lives she touched there.

Sharon was an avid gardener. She planted well over a hundred plants each spring - a wide variety of flowers and vegetables. She delighted in sharing the vegetables with her dear neighbors.

Speaking of neighbors, Sharon was very thankful for wonderful neighbors, some of whom she shared life with for over 40 years. She enjoyed sharing baked goodies with them and carried each neighbor in prayer daily. They were so sweet to look after her and help her in her later years.

Sharon truly cherished her family. She was devoted to John, her beloved husband of 59 years, and was an incredible mother to their 3 children. Her abundant love was evident in everything she did. She absolutely adored her 4 grandchildren. She enjoyed sharing her life with them and showering them with love. Sharon cared for family with such joy, tenderness,compassion, encouragement, patience, and kindness.

From childhood, Sharon has lived a life full of faith in Jesus. The love of Jesus shined through everything she did. The scripture she eagerly memorized and her full surrender to Jesus guided every aspect of her life. Sharon was a prayer warrior. Each morning she spent 1-2 hours praying through her extensive list, making sure she covered each one with prayer. She walked closely with Jesus as she served others, prayed for others, shared the Gospel with others and loved others. Sharon was so thankful for her dear friends from church and her faithful friends from homegroup. She loved seeking Jesus with them and sharing life with them. They were always so sweet to her.

Waiting for Sharon in Heaven were: her parents, Irye and Helen Townsend; her beloved husband, John; her son, John; her brother, Leon Townsend; and her nephew, Frost Townsend. Those who are now deeply missing her are: her son, Stephen; daughter, Andrea Adams and husband Bill; grandchildren, William, Grace Marie, Annaliese, and John Adams; sister-in-law, Betty Townsend; niece, Marsha Horn and husband Terry; niece, Arleeta Greany and husband Freddy; nephew, Jeff Townsend and wife Theresa; and many more dear extended family.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 28th, with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m., at Hillcrest Covenant Church, 8801 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, Kansas.

Sharon was a beloved wife, cherished mother, loving grandmother, a dedicated teacher, caring neighbor, faithful friend, and a whole-hearted believer in Jesus. The joy in her welcoming smile instantly put others at ease and spread love and encouragement to everyone around her. Her sweet, loving heart will be deeply missed and always cherished.