Henson Frost

Henson was born Saletta Marvelle Henson on September 5th of 1951. Raised in Houston, she retained her Texan drawl her entire life. She was the proud drum major of Stephen F. Austin High School, class of 1970, earned her Associate of Arts from the University of Hawaii, and her Bachelor of Fine Arts from St Andrews Presbyterian College.

Henson married and lived the nomadic life of an army spouse; traveling the country and creating a beautiful home wherever the military took them. Her style was legendary, and our childhood friends still talk about the amazing things she did to that little house on Maracay Court. She had three children, who she loved fiercely. She raised them to be kind, lovers of justice, and to work hard. But most of all, to really love each of our siblings.

When life’s circumstances changed, she dug deep and earned her badge as a deputy sheriff with Cumberland County. She served as a School Resource Officer (SRO) for Anne Chesnutt Junior High, and as a deputy in the K-9 unit, where she was paired with Amber, the best partner anyone could ask for. Those two wreaked some havoc on both the small and big-time drug trade in the 90s. It was also pretty cool when your mom showed up in uniform with a “scary” dog at high school football games! Henson retired as a detective in the juvenile branch, after raising and launching three teenagers on her own.

Henson remarried in 1998, and Bob remained her best friend for the rest of her life. Her dream of living at the beach was finally realized when she moved to Oak Island in 2011. She was a prolific, lifelong gardener, and she was tickled pink to have her yard featured on the Oak Island Garden Tour.

Henson was also a passionate animal lover. She volunteered at and supported numerous rescues and shelters, and championed the humane treatment of all animals. She had so many pets throughout her life that we cannot list them all here. But her police K-9, Amber, and her buddy, Cole held special places in her heart.

Henson most recently moved to Cary so her daughter, Lauren, could care for her after a fall.

Many of you reading this knew Henson; some in passing, and some really well. Our mom’s walk through life was on an intensely winding path. She had periods of peaceful, lovely meadows, and times in forests so deep and dark that she struggled to find her way out. Her path was marked with both moments of extreme joy and sadness. But mom always kept moving forward. She continued to push on in the hope of a happier tomorrow, and a restful end to a challenging journey.

We know that she is now truly happy. We know that she is with the Lord, her beloved pets, and all of our loved ones who have gone before her. She was welcomed home by her parents, Laura Jeffrey and W.D. “Doug” Henson, and grandson, Grady Loran Greene.

Henson is survived by her children and their spouses, Kristen (Kirby) and Justin Hodge, Lauren (Kirby) and Blake Greene, and Joshua and Melissa Henson; her grandchildren, Cade and Zane Hodge, Wesley Henson, Michaela (Henson) and Pancho Avilar, and Tyler Greene; her brother, Cloddie “Bubba” Henson, and her sister-in-law, Marion Henson; her nephews, Kyle and Brian Henson, and their families; and her husband, Robert “Bob” Frost.

Mom’s earthly remains were lovingly returned to the sea at Oak Island by her children, grandchildren, and husband.

We love and miss you dearly, mom, and we can’t wait to see you again. Your adoring children.