Jo Ann (Bourgeois) Henderson

Jo Ann (Bourgeois) Henderson, 87, formerly of Glenford, gained her peaceful, pain-free angel wings Thursday, May 10th at the Flintridge Care Center in Newark. JoAnn fought a courageous battle of 30 years in rehabilitation and recovery following extreme orthopedic injuries sustained in a single-car accident, October 2, 1987. She was welcomed at the heavenly gates by her devoted caregiver and late husband Nolan, who preceded her in death on April 5, 2017. Jo Ann was born August 24, 1930 in Sugar Grove, Ohio to George Leon & Mary Edna Moore Bourgeois. Jo Ann graduated from Glenford High School. She married Nolan Henderson on July 21, 1949 at Hopewell United Methodist Church in Glenford. They enjoyed 67 years of marriage and raised their family, remaining in the same community. Jo Ann was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. During her younger years she was a member of the UCC Women’s Guild, Glenford Mother’s Club, Glenford PTO and the Hopewell Twp. Fireman’s Auxiliary. She served as caretaker of her house of worship for many years, a sales consultant for Stanley Home Products earning recognition in their 300 club, and served as Village Clerk of Glenford prior to her accident. Jo Ann served as leader/advisor for the Glenford 4-H Club, Glenford Jr. Sewing Sisters & Glenford Sisters 4-H Club for a collective 10 years teaching many young women how to sew, cook, present and model their projects at the county fair and state fair levels. The role she cherished the most, however, was that of wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and keeping her home in order while serving as “first lady of Glenford” for 39 years. Jo Ann is survived by daughters, Cathy (Tim) Collins of White Cottage, Sheila (Chuck) Henderson of Somerset, and Melinda (Don) Bradley of Newark; Grandchildren, Joleen (Ed) Kinsel, Perry (Heather) Collins, J.T. Johnson, Cassandra (Dr. Adam) Brandemihl, Clayton Embrey, Shelby Embrey; and seven great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by in-laws Charles & Lillie Smith Henderson, infant sister Mabel Irene, sisters Francis “Fanny” (Dick) Cooperrider, Carolina “Kitty” (June) Helser, and brother DeWayne “Bud” (Irene) Bourgeois; brothers-in-law Fred (Lucille), Omie (Ruth), Eugene (Audrey), Wayne (Mary) and Byron (Jean); sisters-in-law, Glorine (Paul) Gordon and Emma (John) Houdeshell. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, May 14, 2018 at the Bope-Thomas Funeral Home in Somerset and one hour prior to the service at the church. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ (currently Tin Cup Ministries), St. Rt. 757, Glenford with Pastor Paul Hansen officiating. Burial will follow in St. Paul’s Lutheran and Reformed Cemetery next to the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the JoAnn Henderson Memorial Fund c/o the Bope-Thomas Funeral Home, P.O. Box 188, Somerset, Ohio 43783. Donations will be used to purchase memorial benches at Henderson Park in Glenford. On-line condolences can be left at www.bopethomasfuneralhome.com.

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