Essie Colleen Henry

Essie Colleen Henry was born on September 15, 1962 in Richmond, Virginia. She was the fourth eldest child of Deacon William R. and Deaconess Annie E. Johnson. She passed from this life onto her eternal reward on Saturday, December 28, 2019. Essie attended Richmond Public Schools, graduating from Jefferson-Huguenot-Wythe High School in 1980. Essie married her high school sweetheart, Richard Henry, moved to Newport News, VA and started their family. There she trained and worked as a Certified Nurse Assistant and attended Thomas Nelson Community College. Upon relocating to Richmond, she attended and graduated from Janards Beauty School. She also worked as a legal secretary and recently as an assisted living caregiver at Heritage Green Assisted Living. Her entrepreneurial wisdom and spirit gave birth to Elsie Home Health Care and Elise Catering, where she used all of her expertise and experience to give stellar service. Essie was saved and baptized at 21st Street Church of God. She was a dedicated member and servant of the church. As a youth, she sang in the children's Sunbeam Choir and was very active in the youth department. As a adult, she served as Women's President, Youth President, President of the Pastor's Aide Committee and President of the Johnson Family Choir. She was also a member of the Women's, Youth and Combined Choir where she loved playing her tambourine and showing the youth that there is joy in serving the Lord. Aside from her children, Essie's crowning jewel was serving as Coordinator for the Outreach Ministry. This ministry was special to her in part because of her grandmother, Essie P. Jones who initiated this ministry. She took great joy in knowing that it helped to fight hunger in the community, both physically and spiritually. Essie was an avid music lover, with gospel music being her favorite. Her hobbies included singing, cooking, shopping, decorating, reading by the fireplace and spending time with her granddaughter and godchildren. Essie loved her family. You could always find her helping at the many and various special occasions of her family especially birthday parties, cookouts, and family reunions. Essie leaves behind to cherish her most precious memories her children, Richard Paul II, Erica Louise and William Edward Henry; granddaughter, Chassidy A. Henry; beloved parents, William Sr. and Annie E. Johnson; brother, William Johnson, Jr. (Latisha); sisters, Crystal Atkins (Julius), Sherry Dowling (Dallas), Virginia Johnson Stephens, Gloria Ann Hanson and Barbara Ann Rogers; mother-in-law, Annette Henry; two sisters-in-law, Maurica Cathell (Hassan) and Maria Bishop; one brother-in-law, Edmond Henry (Tiffany); five aunts, Louise Stephenson (Hubert), Mae Gatling (Pendleton, N.C.), Tillie Riddick, Barbara Jean Johnson and Dr. Margaret Brown; two uncles, Rev. Dr. L. A. Johnson, Jr. and Dr. V. M. Johnson (Evelyn); a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends & extended family including Richard P. Henry, and her goddaughters, Shannithia Evans, Shaquita Evans and Angela Grant (Ta'Quan).

Tributes

Essie Colleen Henry

September 15, 1962 - December 28, 2019