Theresa Mollie Henson

THERESA MOLLIE HENSON, the beloved daughter of Walter H. and Augustine S. Jeffries, was born on August 14, 1942 in Baltimore, Maryland. She passed away on May 10, 2011 after a lengthy illness. As the third child of a family of seven children, Mollie, as she was affectionately called by her family, was a typical middle child with a calming quiet manner and strong sense of duty and devotion to her family that remained her primary calling throughout her life. She was educated in the Baltimore City School System and was a proud graduate of Frederick Douglass High School. Following high school and a brief stint as a model along with her sister, Goldie, Theresa became employed by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for the State of Maryland as an office secretary, from which she retired in 2001. Born and reared in the Catholic faith, she and her family were members of St. Pius Catholic Church. As an adult, Theresa became a member of St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church. She was an active member of the church serving on various committees and teaching Sunday school until poor heath prevented her participation. However, she remained strong in her faith and even in her last days, she could be found with her hands clasped in prayer. The other passion that sustained Theresa was her great love and devotion to her family. Throughout her life, she loved time spent with her parents and siblings. With her marriage to Leon Joseph Henson in 1962 and the birth of their two children, Elizabeth Kelly and Leon Joseph Jr., this love and devotion to family blossomed. She delighted in the accomplishments of her children as well as her nieces and nephews. Her happiest moments were during family gatherings where she reveled in sharing great food, laughing, endless card games with family and friends. With the birth of her grandchildren, her joy was complete. She loved watching them grow up and glowed with pride when they visited. Never one for grand gestures, Theresa shared her love with family and friends in quiet simple ways, such as making her delicious lemonade for her children’s friends or her warm and welcoming greetings upon seeing and old friend. During the times of family illness, Theresa did the daily tasks, such as the cooking, grocery shopping, and errands for family and friends. Always devoted, she was truly there in body and spirit for those in need. She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband, Leon Joseph Henson Sr.; one daughter. Elizabeth Kelly Henson Harley; one son, Leon Joseph Henson Jr.; four grandchildren, Leon J. Henson III, Nathalie Henson, Matthew Henson and Alexander Henson; one son-in-law, Paul Derek Harley; one daughter-in-law, Daisy Henson; three sisters, Frances Ella Jeffries, Augustine Goldie Hutchinson and Elizabeth Brenda Hurst; two brothers; Walter Jeffries and Sam Jeffries; one brother-in-law, several sister-in-law, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Theresa Mollie Henson

August 14, 1942 - May 10, 2011