Nancy Henson

Nancy Henson May 29, 1929 July 11, 2009 Nancy Drake Tripp Henson, 80, went to be with her Lord and Savior Saturday morning, July 11, 2009. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 14, at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church, with Rev. Chris Mesa officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Monday, July 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Nancy was born May 29, 1929, to Dr. and Mrs. Frank Tripp in St. Joseph, MO. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Montgomery, AL, where her father was the pastor. Nancy graduated from Sidney Lanier High School, Montgomery, AL, and studied music at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. In 1948, Nancy came to Waco to attend Baylor University where she studied organ under Dr. Robert Markham and received a Bachelor's of Music degree. While attending Baylor Martha Barkema assigned Nancy to be Jack Henson, Jr.'s accompanist. Many performances ensued with Jack singing and Nancy accompanying until October 20, 2006, with their final performance together performing "The Lord is My Light." Nancy and Jack married on July 18, 1952, at First Baptist Church in Waco. She taught music at Brook Avenue Elementary. Nancy was a profound organist for 63 years in the Waco area. She served 11 years at 7th and James Baptist Church and several short tenures at other churches. Nancy was the current organist at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church where she served with her most beloved friends and pastor. She recently celebrated 40 years of service at Austin Avenue with a public organ concert. In addition, she was secretary/treasurer of Henson Business Products, Inc., for over 30 years. Nancy is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Jack. Other survivors include son Jack Henson, III, and wife Michelle of Waco; son, Jeff Henson and wife Sharon of Robinson; sisters Ann Elizabeth Willey of Montgomery, AL and Kuma Hedgepeth of Jackson, MS; sister-in-law, Sara Tripp of Montgomery, AL; grandchildren Kasey Vickers and wife Megan of Washington, D. C., Amy Moegelin and husband Chad of Robinson, Greg Henson of Asheville, NC, Ambree Vickers of Ft. Worth, Deena Henson and finance David Pino of Waco; and great-grandson, Cade Moegelin of Robinson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nancy Henson Memorial Scholarship Fund or the Church Organ Fund through Austin Avenue United Methodist Church, 1300 Austin Avenue, Waco, TX 76701. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY