Naomi Henderson

Naomi Louise Henderson was born July 13, 1921 to Nora Link LaDuke and A.C. LaDuke in Eden, Texas, moving to Weslaco, Texas while she was still an infant. She spent her school years in Weslaco, marrying her high school sweetheart, James P. McElyea in 1940. During WWII, he joined the Navy and was stationed in San Diego where Naomi worked in a factory, installing electrical harnesses in the B-24 airplanes, better known as the Flying Fortresses.

Naomi was mother to two daughters, rearing them in Mercedes, Texas. Her husband passed away unexpectedly in 1957 and afterwards, she was able to find employment as a substitute teacher and an assistant to a photographer to support her children. During this time, she met a wonderful man, A. E. (Ellic) Henderson, and they married in 1959. When he retired from his position of long standing in south Texas, they moved first to Oklahoma and then to Dallas, Texas where they purchased a home and where she lived for 45 years. She was active in her church there as well as serving as a docent at the Dallas Zoo for many years.

Naomi was a faithful member of the Church of Christ, teaching Sunday School to many young children. Her faith saw her through the deaths of her two husbands and the trials of the Great Depression of the 1930's as well as the scarcity and difficulties of World War II in the 1940's. She demonstrated great courage in her life with a tenacity of will to persevere in the face of loss and hardship. She was 102 years old on her last birthday, passing away on October 19, 2023 in Abilene, Texas, living near her eldest daughter. She will be remembered with love and admiration.

Naomi is survived by two daughters, Bettie Ann Brower, of Abilene, Texas and Mary Louise Goodman of Temple, Texas. Her four grandchildren are Rex Ewing, Eron Granneman, Carl Brower, and Sarah Sneed. Her five great-grandchildren are MacKenzie Granneman, Taylor and Katherine Brower, and Connor and Lily Sneed.

Naomi's remains will be buried next to her beloved husband, A. E. Henderson, at the Five Mile Cemetery in the Dallas area at her request. A memorial service is being planned to honor her life and to commemorate her service to her family and community.