Erma Jean Henderson

Erma Jean Henderson (Jean) was the first of five children born to Rev. Orange Raymond Short and Mrs. Lettie Powell Short in Altus, OK. She was raised in a Christian home and came to know Christ at an early age. Jean was a vibrant and dynamic person who lived life to the fullest. She never met a stranger and could get on a thirty-five minute flight from Houston to San Antonio and have a new best friend when the plane landed. She made everyone around her feel special and loved. After her mother died in 1971 Jean became the Matriarch of the Short family. She was the center around which her siblings, children and all the other family members revolved. Family was her greatest love, with the exception of her Lord. She married Ernest Henderson on September 29, 1956 and loved him unconditionally until God called him home in February, 1983. She told her children after his death that she would never remarry, even though she was only 55 when Ernest was called home. She said there would never be another "daddy". She was true to her word and never married again. She loved Ernest dearly even beyond death and always kept his memory alive. Jean was an active member of the Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church for most of her childhood and adult life. She loved to sing in the choir and her strong alto voice could be heard ringing out during the services and especially during choir musicals. She led and served in the "Sunshine Band" at Greater New Hope as long as her health allowed and the name of the ministry was so descriptive of Jean. She brought "Sunshine" wherever she went. She became a Deaconess when Ernest accepted the role of Deacon and continued to take her turn baking the unleavened bread for the Communion service. Because she visited her children frequently, she also became surrogate members of their churches. She passed her love of God on to her children and was confident in the knowledge that because they all have a strong relationship with the Lord, she would see them again. Countless members at Maranatha Bible Church in San Antonio, TX; Fallbrook Church here in Houston, and St. Paul AME Church in Huntsville, TX knew her and looked forward to her visits. Jean loved young people! She taught Sunday School for middle-school aged children. She used to say that she didn't like being around tired old folks. Young people keep you young and vibrant she would say. And it was the loss of that independence that caused her great sadness as her health declined. She always wanted to be the one giving help and found it difficult to accept help from others. It truly tortured her, no matter how graciously or with how much love the help was offered. She and Ernest opened their home to so many family members over the years that it is too many to count! Jean is survived by her children: Herman Henderson (Dorothy); Ernest Henderson, Jr. (Ruth); Cynthia Beverly (Leon); Ronald Brantley (Barbara); Sylkie Green. Two brothers mourn her passing: Emmett Short (Jo Marie); and Dwight Short. Three siblings went before her: O.R. Short, Jr. (Alona ) Archie O. Short (Dolores) and Odetta Short Green. She was blessed with 14 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. For more than 50 years Jean shared a close friendship with Elizabeth Harnsberry, who will miss her "friend" immensely. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends will forever hold her in their heart.