Mrs. Tommie Jo Henton

Visitation will be held at Gregory W. Spencer Funeral Directors, 4000 Miller Avenue, Fort Worth, TX, on September 17, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

A Wake will take place at Greater Rising Star Baptist Church, 5513 Como Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76107, on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A Celebration Of Her Life will be held at Greater Rising Star Baptist Church, 5513 Como Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76107, on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 11:00 am.

On a cold, snowy night, February 22, 1947, a midwife brought a beautiful baby girl into the world in Oakwood

(Leon County), Texas. Born to the late Tom Allen and the late Mattie Lee Jones Allen, she was lovingly named

Tommie Jo Allen. From those humble beginnings began a life rooted in faith, family, service, and community.

At an early age, Tommie accepted Christ and joined Johnson Chapel A.M.E. Church alongside her sister,

Virginia, and her dear friend, Martha, under the leadership of the late Reverend H. F. Dodson. Her faith would

remain an important part of her life and guide her through the many seasons and chapters that followed.

Tommie attended Como Elementary School, Como Junior High School, and Como Senior High School. She

was a proud member of the Baby Boomer Class of 1965, the first graduating class from the Como community to

include more than 103 students. During her school years, Tommie developed a love and appreciation for music.

She studied music under the leadership of the late Mrs. A. Ferguson, Mrs. Ethel Haley, and Mrs. Hattie Fay

Collin Allen, as well as vocal music and piano under the late Mrs. O. Bunker.

On June 2, 1967, Tommie was united in marriage to the late Deacon Willard Vanele Henton. With a desire to

worship together as a family, Tommie and her children, Morris and Michelle, moved their church membership

from Johnson Chapel A.M.E. Church and united with Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of

the late Reverend J. W. Briscoe, where Willard was a member. On January 27, 1969, their family was blessed

with the birth of a son, Cedric Vanele Henton.

Throughout her life, Tommie continued to grow in her faith and serve through the church. She later united with

Strangers Rest Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Roy West, a former schoolmate. When

her employment took her to downtown Fort Worth, where she worked at Etta’s Place Bed and Breakfast,

Tommie joined Greater St. James Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend R. C. Johnson.

When Willard became ill, Tommie returned home to the Lake Como community and united with Greater Rising

Star Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Floyd Brooks, while the congregation was still

worshipping in the old church on Chariot Drive. Tommie willingly served wherever she was needed, including

as the 8:15 a.m. Announcement Clerk. In November 2019, Pastor Brooks asked Sister Henton to serve on the

Mother’s Board, a role she faithfully embraced and continued to serve with dedication.

Tommie’s commitment to service extended to the community that she loved. Over the years, she was actively

involved in numerous civic, neighborhood, and community organizations, including:

 Women’s American Legion Auxiliary Unit #838

 Third Vice President of the Lake Como Neighborhood Association (NAC), 2004–2008

 Community Action Partners Board for Como Place 8

 Member of the Nonprofit Service Center, 2003

 Member of the Crime Commission Police Board (CCPD), where she served one year as Vice President

 Customer Service Board of The T/Fort Worth Transportation Authority, 2001–2009

 Member of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Widows Night Club (SWBT)

 Member of the first Como community cleanup crew, working alongside Councilman John Stevenson,

Code Officer Kenneth Battles, Neighborhood Officer Mr. Patrick Moore, and the City of Fort Worth

crew in 2005

 Recipient of the Outstanding Treasured Citizen of Fort Worth recognition, 2011

 Habitat for Humanity

 Guest Services at Etta’s Place Bed and Breakfast and the Caravan of Dreams

 Mother-and-Daughter Duo for the Como Community Center

Whether serving her church or community, Tommie’s life reflected a heart for people. She built relationships

throughout the Lake Como community and beyond, leaving behind memories that will continue to live in the

hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Tommie was preceded in death by her grandmothers, Eliza Jones of Oakwood, Texas, and Mrs. Corrie Dixon of

Normangee, Texas; her grandfather, Jim Bell Allen of Madisonville, Texas; her mother, Mattie Lee Allen; her

father, Tom Allen; her beloved husband, Deacon Willard Vanele Henton; her brother, Reverend Jo Henry

DeLane; her nephew, Joe DeLane, Jr.; and her grandchild, Alex Shaikh.

Those left to cherish Tommie’s life, love, and precious memories include her sons, Morris Kelvin Allen and

Cedric Vanele Henton (Patrice); her daughter, Michelle Karen Allen-Stevenson; her sister, Virginia Elizabeth

Fletcher (Richard); and her special sister, Martha Kennedy Graves (John).

She also leaves to cherish her memory her grandchildren, Ciarra Nicole Allen, Kendric D’Ray Henton, Justin

Vanele Henton, and Landon Henton; and special friends, Mr. John “Blue” Clay, Mr. Forrest Walker, Mrs. Jewel

Speed and family, Mrs. Linda Odom, and Mrs. Nannette Smith and family.

Tommie’s memory will also be lovingly carried forward by the Henton, Allen, Ingram, Carter, Meeks, Hill,

Slater, and McGrew-Perry families, along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, church

Mrs. Tommie Jo Allen Henton will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Willard Henton in the Garden of Hope, at Cedar Hill Memorial Park, 8301 Mansfield Hwy, Arlington, TX 76001, on Friday September 18, 2026.