Mary Jane Mills Henderson passed away on October 28, 2023, in McKinney, Texas at the age of 95. She was born on August 14, 1928, in Rhea Mills, Texas. She was the longest living and last surviving child of Tully and Annie Hamon Mills.
Mary grew up in the Rhea Mills, Bloomdale and Walnut Grove communities which were on the outskirts of McKinney. Mary was baptized in the Methodist Church at a young age. She enjoyed growing up in a large loving “family” which included her siblings, aunts and uncles, numerous cousins and close neighbors.
Mary was very proud of her Collin County and McKinney, Texas roots. She happily looked forward to attending the Mills Family Reunion which was held for 113 consecutive years with the last one taking place in 2019. She also enjoyed visiting the downtown McKinney square and attending McKinney’s local festivals and parades. She was of the opinion that every parade should include a band.
In 1949, Mary married C.R. Henderson in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and moved to the McKinney area shortly thereafter. They were blessed with their sons, Michael, Mark, and Christopher and daughters, Cindy and Becky. Mary and C.R. raised their family in McKinney where the family remained after C.R.’s untimely passing in 1970.
Mary was a very strong, independent, loving and caring woman. Mary’s mother passed at a young age and she became very close to her grandmother, Clarissa Jane Baker Mills. As a young teenager, she began caring for her grandmother. She raised her children on her own, cared for her father, nieces, nephews, grandkids and great grandkids. She was always there for others.
She was very active and full of endless energy and cared for her yard and mowed her own grass as she was approaching age 90. She had beautiful flowers and her purple irises are featured in Neil Sperry’s latest book.
Mary was a great cook that kept her loved ones and friends well fed with her excellent cooking. Her specialty was “country cooking” which included burgers, pinto beans, cornbread, fried potatoes and many other delicious foods. She ensured your tea glass was full of her extra sweet Texas Iced Tea.
Mary loved visiting with family and playing with her grandkids and great grandkids. She played tee-ball at age 92 and gleefully slid down the large playground slides at Finch Park during her 70’s. She would play pranks in return for those played on her. Mary enjoyed being involved with her ladies Pokeno group and looked forward to joining them each month.
Mary enjoyed walking near her home in McKinney’s beautiful historic district. One of her favorite pastimes was relaxing on her front porch. She made many friends on that porch and became well acquainted with her neighbors and their pets while relaxing in the beautiful Texas sunshine .
Mary held various jobs throughout her life and retired from Fisher Controls. She wore many “hats”. However, the hat she most proudly donned was the one of “Mom”, “Mother”, “Gramma”, and “Memaw”.
Mom, our love for you is immense, never ending and bigger than Texas! We will miss you dearly. As one of your cousins stated, we know you were welcomed with open arms and boundless hugs at the huge Heavenly Mills Family Reunion and we will join you when it’s our time.
Mary is survived by her son, Dr. Michael Henderson (Marlene) of Aubrey, Texas; son, Mark Henderson of McKinney, Texas; daughter, Cindy Maki (Eric) of McKinney, Texas; son, Chris Henderson of McKinney, Texas; daughter, Becky Elkins (Paul) of McKinney, Texas; grandchildren, Michael, Denise, David, Meredith, Courtney, Heather, Hunter, Clarissa, Marilyn, Tim, and Jeremy; great-grandchildren, Lathan, Madison, Rhees, Megan, Nicholas, Benjamin, Colt, Pearse, Rowan, Briggs, River, Jocelyn, Todd, Emma, and Jane; and numerous other family and friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, C.R. Henderson; her parents Tully B. Mills and Annie Hamon Mills; great grandson, Corbin Vance Henderson; sisters, Thelma Gertrude and Betty Sue; brothers, William Charles, Walker Eugene, Robert Fitzhugh, and Marvin Lee.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 2, 2023, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on Mary’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/mary-jane-mills-henderson. After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location. Following the service, a procession will make its way to Ridgeview Memorial Park for a committal service.
The family will receive friends during a visitation on Wednesday evening from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.