Glenda Marlene Henderson was born to Elmer and Cleotha Vernon on October 7, 1934 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The family relocated to Oakland, California where after some time Glenda met her husband-to-be, Gene Henderson. After graduating from high school, while waiting for Gene to return from his Marine Corps service in Korea, Glenda worked as a secretary for The WearEver Cookware Company. When Gene returned home from the service, the couple got married on Christmas Day, 1954, at The Church of the Wayfarer in Carmel, California.

Gene and Glenda started their life together in Oakland, California where they eventually welcomed their first child. With their second child on the way, Glenda discontinued her career and the young family moved to Hayward, California where Gene and Glenda purchased their first home. Over the course of 10 years, God blessed Gene and Glenda with three daughters and one son. While Gene developed his career as a machinist, Glenda put her natural talents as an excellent cook, seamstress, decorator, and gardener to work.  As a one-income family, Glenda created delicious budget-friendly meals for her family, sewed many items of clothing for herself and her daughters, decorated and maintained the family home with care and diligence and meticulously nurtured a rose garden that was the showcase of the family's backyard. Glenda was an enterprising and creative expert at stretching a dollar and making it look easy!

During their years in Hayward, Gene and Glenda committed their lives to Christ and the family became members of Huntwood Baptist Church. The couple supported the church wholeheartedly with their time, talents, and treasure.  Glenda loved caring for babies and was very happy to volunteer in the church nursery.

In 1972, Gene and Glenda moved their family to Pine Grove, California where the couple built their own home and launched their new company, G&H Manufacturing. In addition to being a partner in the business, Glenda was the CFO, managing all income and expenses. As Gene managed the operations side, Glenda maintained the financial stability of the company. Their cooperative partnership fueled the growth and ongoing success of G&H Manufacturing.

In 1978, Gene and Glenda were instrumental in starting Pioneer Baptist Church in the neighboring town of Pioneer, California. The couple volunteered countless hours to get the young church off the ground and opened their home regularly to host various groups and church gatherings. With her financial expertise and experience as a bookkeeper, Glenda assisted the church in tracking income while also volunteering in the church nursery.  As the children moved into their high school years, Glenda was hired as a part-time bookkeeper for the Pine Acres Water District. Glenda was always industrious and never one to sit idle for very long.  During this busy season of Glenda's life, she also continued to keep the home fires burning with delicious meals, maintained a large vegetable garden, and canned a variety of different foods during the summer months.

After many joyful years in Pine Grove, Gene and Glenda sold their company and at the age of 70, retired to Bella Vista, Arkansas where they became involved at Village Baptist Church.  Gene was asked to teach Sunday School and Glenda was right by his side overseeing the administrative responsibilities - another great partnership! The couple served in this capacity for several years during which time they developed many wonderful friendships.

While Glenda was a reserved, funny, and ambitious woman who displayed her loyalty and affection for her husband and family in countless ways, her devotion to the Lord was paramount. Glenda was a woman of prayer and a woman of her word.  If Glenda told you she would pray for you, there would be no reason to question her sincerity - it was as good as done! Glenda was also a woman of exceptional faith; this was represented in the way she expectantly approached God in prayer, speaking to Him as though He was sitting right across the table from her, and knowing that He heard her prayer and would answer in His way and time. She believed God's Word and trusted Him - it was just that simple.

Glenda was a follower of Christ who spent her life caring for her husband, her family, and the church. Glenda devoted herself to her husband, Gene, as his loving soulmate and supportive partner in every endeavor they undertook. Through good times and hard times, their commitment to one another was solid. Glenda championed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with joy and took great pride in their various achievements. By their example, Gene and Glenda taught their family the importance of hard work, honesty, fiscal responsibility, sacrifice, perseverance, commitment, and most importantly, how to live a life that honors God.

Glenda Henderson was at home when, on August 6, she peacefully passed from this life into the presence of the God she loves. Glenda is survived by her four children, eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and sister.

"She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her saying: 'Many daughters have done nobly, but you exceed them all.' " Proverbs 31:27-29