MOUNT VERNON — Lena Mae Henson, 98, of Mount Vernon passed away Wednesday morning, Nov. 11, 2009, at the Country Court Nursing Home in Mount Vernon.
She was born Sept. 17, 1911, in Jay County, Ind., a daughter of the late James William and Etta Catherine (Hunt) Philebaum. Always working hard and helping others, she was a lifelong Christian, a member of the Church of the Nazarene. She was creative, artistic and loved gardening. She is one of the last living alumni who attended Olivet Nazarene College, Kankakee, Ill., back in the 1930s. Lena and her friend, Ruby, were written up in the local paper at the time for living on $146 each the first year at college by bringing canned goods from home. The local church had a canned goods shower for them making it possible for them to go to college.
Lena was the last living child in the Philebaum family of 13 children. She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. James Henson, in 1973; brothers, Virgil, Lawrence, Amos, Earl, Leo and Eldon Philebaum; and sisters, Dora Philebaum, Osee Dial, Delsie Brosher, Ada Grile, Wanita Shirk and Violet Wells Maxwell.
She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. These last years she was cared for by nieces, Joy Wells, Beth Downs of Eugene, Ore.; Randy and Cindi Wells of Detroit, Mich.; and Carol Parrott of Columbus.
The family will have a graveside service for Lena on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 10 a.m. in Mound View Cemetery, Mount Vernon, with the Rev. Robert Morrison officiating. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com. Contributions may be made to Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
The Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon is honored to serve the family of Lena Mae Henson.
