of Conway, AR

April 7, 1944 - February 21, 2025

On February 21, 2025, Melinda Henderson, age 80, went to be with the Lord. She was born on April 7, 1944 in Mexia, Texas where she was preceded in death by her husband, Jerald Henderson; her parents, Laverne and O. Walter "Chief" Mansell; sister, Sara (Fife) Elmore and brother-in-laws, Billy Fife and Dennis Savage.

Melinda is survived by her daughter, Debbie Barthol and husband, Steve; grandson, Tyler Barthol and wife, Joellen; grandson, Alex Barthol; daughter, Deana Glenn and husband, Kirk; son-in-law, Kevin Rittman; granddaughter, Taylor Rittman; granddaughter, Brooke Halter and husband, Alex and great grandson, Dean; grandson, Bryan Glenn and wife, Tori; grandson, Jeffrey Glenn; sister, Sandra Savage; nephew, Alan Savage and wife, Donna; nephew, Stan Savage and wife, Paige; niece, Jill Fife; nephews, Andy Fife and Jim Fife; brother-in-law, Danny Henderson and his children, Tim Henderson and Kelli Henderson Kilgore.

Melinda grew up in Mexia, TX where she was raised by Laverne and Walter Mansell. She and her older sisters, Sandra and Sara were majorettes for Mexia High School and played in the high school band. Melinda's father, Walter "Chief" Mansell, passed away when she was young, but she always told stories to her family about how proud she was of him being the local fire chief.

While at Navarro Junior College, Melinda was introduced to Jerald Henderson by mutual friends. On the second date, Jerald proposed when at an Oklahoma fair, while then-unknown Johnny Cash was walking by, where she said 'yes'. They were wed on July 6, 1963 and were blessed with two daughters, Debbie and Deana. When the girls were young, Jerald worked to send his wife to college and support her in finishing her nursing degrees. Her career spanned many years, from working as an RN at Mercy Hospital in Rogers, to a Dean at University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) and nursing instructor at the University of Arkansas (U of A) in Fayetteville.

As a devoted mother, grandmother and a published healthcare professional, Melinda was committed to her family and improving the medical community and those that it served.

After Melinda and Jerald retired, they enjoyed traveling the country to national parks and U.S. landmarks, eventually settling in The Village in Conway, Arkansas in 2017. They were inseparable and married for almost 59 loving years, sharing their love for the Lord and their family. And as an educator, she stayed tightly knit with those she engaged with over her career at UCO and the U of A.

In addition to making memories with her grandchildren, Melinda attended her local church and gave back to her community by volunteering time with her husband for Operation Christmas Child, Salvation Army, supporting Thanksgiving meal handouts for the Arkansas Dream Center at New Life Church and bringing cookies to the local police department, clinics and friends in need.

Always the spark of liveliness in the room, Melinda will be missed by all those she touched. However, there is no greater peace than knowing she is with the Lord.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made to the following in Melinda's name to assist others in need as she would have wanted:

https://www.dementiasociety.org/donate
https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/give
https://www.newlifechurch.tv/giving

A celebration of Melinda's life will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 11am at New Life Church Chapel on 633 S. Country Club Rd, Conway, Arkansas 72034.

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