Nancy Henderson

Nancy Irene Ellis Henderson, age 85 of Xenia, Ohio, graduated to Glory on April 24, 2023. She was born July 6, 1937 in Darlington, Missouri, to Albert and Irene Ellis, the oldest of seven children. She attended King City HS, class of 1955, Missouri Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, St. Louis, Missouri graduating with a Registered nursing licensure, and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Oklahoma University. She met Everett James Henderson in St. Louis, Missouri and they were married May 23, 1959. She used her nursing skills in both St. Louis and Oklahoma City in psychiatric and medical surgical wards where she was Head Nurse. They moved to Beavercreek, Ohio in 1963 where they raised four children: Jonathan, Suzanne, Edward and Philip. She taught piano lessons for 25 years in their home in addition to playing the piano and organ in their church. She taught Bible studies for young women, led children’s choirs and worked with the youth in their church, hosting them in her home on numerous occasions.

Nancy’s faith in her Lord began early with her Christ-following farm family and matured through her later years. She was an early mission volunteer which didn’t come to fruition until her later years after sharing the Gospel with many through her ministry in several churches where her family lived.

In retirement, she and Everett went to Ukraine for 11 years where she ministered to women and children with the Gospel message, as well as using her nursing, sewing, cooking, homemaking, and counseling skills. Her love and compassion were compelling for many of her Ukrainian friends, as well as to her mission teammates.

Nancy loved and took great joy in her husband, Everett, 4 children, 15 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Albert & Irene Ellis, siblings: Earl, Carolyn, Peggy, Max, and Stephen. She is survived by her husband, Everett; sons: Jonathan (Tracy) of Colorado Springs, CO, Edward (Lori), Philip (Megan) Henderson; and daughter Suzanne (Paul) McNiel, all of the Dayton area; brother, Jerry (Glenda) Ellis of Bethany, MO; Grandsons: Nathan McNiel, Josiah, Micah, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Mattaniah, Ryan, Evan and Aaron Henderson; Granddaughters: Rebekah VanBuskirk, Sarah Bricker, Alyssa Turner, Kelsie Haerr, Molly and Jane Henderson; and thirteen greatgrandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held at Patterson Park Church, 3655 East Patterson Rd, Beavercreek, on Saturday, April 29 at 10:30AM with a time of visitation beginning at 10:00AM. Private burial at the Valley View Memorial Gardens.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tobias-fh.com for the Henderson family.