Helen Bernice Henderson

Helen Bernice Henderson, affectionately known as “Granny” to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren – as well as many other nieces and nephews, peacefully passed from this life on November 11, 2025 at the age of 100. Granny was born Helen Bernice Barber on April 9th, 1925 in Edmond, Ok. as the last of 7 children, to parents Henry Elwood Barber and Elsie Cecelia Miller.

Helen and the family resided in Edmond, OK. until when, on August 25th 1943 at the age of 18, Helen married Earn Alfred (Lee) Henderson. In addition to being a wife, Helen took on the role of “Mother” to Lee’s three children from a previous marriage. Lee and Helen went on to expand their family even further by having two additional children of their own. Lee and Helen spent 61 years together in an extremely happy and successful marriage up until Lee’s passing in 2004.

In addition to being a mother and housewife Helen, after the children were on their own, spent more than three decades in the food service industry at Central State University (now known as the University of Central Oklahoma). Her career there spanned the decades of the 1960’s into the 1980’s when she retired. During that period Helen served in a supervisory role in multiple cafeterias throughout the campus.

Helen had a vibrant and fun-loving personality. In addition to her own children and grandchildren she was considered a “mon” to many of the younger expanded family members. Her favorite music was gospel and country/western. In her final years she listened to numerous CD’s she inherited from her brother Herman following his passing. These “listening” sessions occurred multiple times each week.

Lee and Helen, when the children were younger, traveled to many different jobs Lee had accepted in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado and California. This provided the opportunity to see many parts of the country they might have otherwise missed.

Helen was preceded in death by her Mother and Father, all seven of her siblings: Henry W. Barber, Harry V. Barber, Harold L. Barber, Hershel R. Barber, Herman F. Barber, Hilda Mae Barber, Harley J. Barber, and her husband of 61 years Earn A. (Lee) Henderson. In addition, Helen was preceded in death by her three step-sons: Orville (Mert) Henderson, Wayne Henderson, Lee Henderson Jr., and her only son Harvey Lee Henderson.

Helen is survived by her only daughter Marie Baskin and Husband Jerry of Eufaula, OK; five grandchildren: Harvey Henderson, Jr. of Bella Vista, Ar., James Henderson and wife Yolanda of Yukon, OK., Darren Warren and wife Kim of Gotebo, Ok., David Henderson and wife Dawn of Edmond, OK., and Kelly Davis and husband Scott of Oklahoma City, Ok.. She is also survived by seven great grandchildren: Logan Henderson and wife Ashley of Bella Vista, Ar., Sarah Blumenthal and Husband Sam of Oklahoma City, Ok., Chris Henderson and wife Megan of Bethany, Ok., Holly Davis of Edmond, Ok., Jamie Davis of Oklahoma City, Ok., Elizabeth Goad and husband Aaron of Oklahoma City, Ok., and JJ Henderson and wife Courtney of Van Buren, Ar., and Devyn Warren of Apopka, Fl. Helen is also survived by three Blumenthal Great Great Grandchildren of Oklahoma City, OK., and many loving nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews most of whom live in the Oklahoma City/Edmond area.

Visitation will be held at Baggerley Funeral Home, located at 930 South Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034, on November 20, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The funeral service will take place at the same location on November 21, 2025, starting at 2:00 pm. The committal service will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, located at North Waterloo and Sooner, Edmond, OK 73034, on November 21, 2025, beginning at 3:15 pm.

Pallbearers will include James Henderson, Darren Warren, David Henderson, Logan Henderson, Chris Henderson, Kenny Barber, and JJ Henderson. Honorary pallbearers will be Scott Davis, Aaron Goad, Jimmie Priest, Joe Priest, and Tyler Heltcel.