Barbara Anne Finley Henderson

Barbara Anne Finley Henderson 1931 - 2009 Barbara Anne Finley Henderson passed peacefully in her home in Austin, Texas on January 5, 2009 after a long, glorious, and meaningful journey. Barbara, "Bobbie," was born in Chamblee, Georgia on September 17, 1931 to Esther "Mimi" Jones and Carlyle Clement Finley. She graduated from O'Keefe High School and Harrison-Draughon Business College in Atlanta, Georgia. In her youth, Barbara played the violin with the Atlanta Youth Orchestra under Conductor Henry Sopkin and continued for a time as a founding member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Barbara married Russell Wayne Henderson of Alpine, Texas on April 8, 1951. She loved him dearly; he was her unique companion, a wonderful husband and they spent 36 happy years together. After their children were grown, Barbara and Russell lived aboard and cruised the Gulf Coast in their sailing yacht, Papillon. She lived a very full and happy life, loved the Lord, and loved being with family and friends. She enjoyed music, art, sailing, traveling, learning, meeting people, politics, and the challenge of working for the Texas State Senate. Barbara worked for the Senate from 1991 until her retirement in 2003. She served as Committee Clerk for the Senate Economic Development Committee and worked with Senators Carl Parker, David Sibley, and Troy Frasier. Barbara was a member of the First United Methodist Church, and actively volunteered with the church bulletin, the Beacon, and the Home Care and Children's Birthday Card Ministries. She accompanied her daughter weekly delivering Meals on Wheels to many of East Austin's homebound elderly for over 17 years. Barbara touched the lives of everyone she met through her gracious, kind, generous, and loving spirit. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband. Barbara is survived by her beloved brothers, Jones Clement "J.C." Finley and wife, Ellen, Charles Finley, and wife, Janet, and her beloved children: daughter, Melodie Campbell and husband, Don, daughter, Autumn Deuel and husband, Guy, son, Russell Henderson and wife, Victoria Logan, and her grandchildren: Courtney Campbell, Mara and Arik Logan-Henderson. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 1201 Lavaca St., Austin, Texas. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the First United Methodist Church or Meals on Wheels and More, 3227 E. 5th Street, Austin, Texas 78702.