Ellen M. Henderson

Ellen M. Henderson, 90, of Clearwater, went home to be with her Savior, Friday, December 19, 2014, exactly 45 years after her mother passed. Ellen was a retired licensed practical nurse. She was born to Elgin and Clara In 1924 in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Pershing High School in Detroit in 1943. She met her future husband, Charles Henderson, when a friend introduced her to her brother in August, 1945. Chuck, who was serving in the Navy, asked her to marry him after only two weeks of dating. She said that she was at first reluctant after such a short period of time, but he was very persistent, sending her flowers, cards and candy. They were married in Detroit April 27, 1946. They had three children: Mark, Kathy and Rebecca. Ellen recounted how Chuck, who was serving in the Navy Reserve after his World War II active service, was recalled to active duty for the Korean War. During the five months of his deployment, she said that she never received his Navy paychecks and had no money to feed her two children at the time. Finally, the American Red Cross succeeded in getting Chuck a hardship discharge. Before moving to Florida, she lived in Detroit and Union Lake, Michigan. Ellen Was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck, in April 1996, who died two days after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Ellen stated in her life�s story that one day Chuck said �let�s go to my church.� She said that she did not know that he went to a church as he never mentioned it. She wrote: �we went to his church and I was very upset. The preacher was telling people that they were all sinners�, and I had never heard that or that I needed a �personal savior.� I was very convicted and finally came to know Christ as my personal savior. What a joy came into my heart and soul. I was so happy and wanted to tell everyone about it.� Ellen is survived by her son, Mark Henderson and his wife, Carol, of Rochester, Michigan; her daughter, Kathy Gledhill and her husband, Al, of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; and her daughter, Rebecca Henderson of Clearwater, Florida. Ellen also is survived by two grandchildren, Kristyn Clark and her husband Mitchell, of Willmar, Minnesota; and Matthew Gledhill, of Lansing, Kansas. She also is survived by two great grandchildren, Caleb Gledhill, of Lansing, Kansas; and Kathryn Clark, of Willmar, Minnesota. Ellen also has one remaining sister in law, Betty Hall, and one niece, Carol Malcom, and one nephew, Jerry Hall and his wife, Sandy, all of Houghton Lake, Michigan; one niece, Sharley Miller and her husband, Elden, of Lambertville, Ohio; and 14 nephews and nieces. Ellen�s Memorial Service will be held Saturday, December 27, at 10 A.M. at the Bible Baptist Church, 280-Riviere Road, Palm Harbor, with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions in honor of Ellen Henderson be made to the church.