Frances Earlean Henderson, age 101, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at the EW Thompson Health & Rehabilitation Center in Sedalia, Missouri. She was born on April 6, 1923 in Warsaw, Missouri the daughter of W.Y. and Emma (Trober) Hazel. She lived a long life, filled with love, family, and hard work.
Earlean was a homemaker and loved sewing, quilting and gardening. She loved her flowers, like the African Violets and pansies she cared for with her “green thumb.” When her children were high school age, she began to work at J.A. Lamy Manufacturing Plant in Sedalia and later at the Unitog Factory in Warsaw. She loved her family and friends and was so happy when there was a family reunion. Earlean also had a beloved cat named Tinker Bell that brought her much joy and companionship.
Earlean is survived by her daughter, Judy Thomas Farmer, of Colonial Heights, Virginia, a daughter-in-law Barbara Thomas, of Warsaw, grandchildren; Carolyn Thomas Gerstner, of Warsaw, James Walter Thomas, of Strasburg, Missouri, Scott Farmer, of Disputanta, Virginia, Christopher Jon Farmer, of Colonial Heights, Virginia, Shannon Thomas, of Independence, Missouri, Tina Mishelle Thomas Potter, of Jefferson City, Missouri and Chad Ray Thomas, of Independence, Missouri. Earlean was also blessed with great-grandchildren including Jennifer Longacre Boster, of Warsaw, Christopher Longacre, of Nevada, Missouri, and Kobie Gerstner, of Warsaw, Austyn Michelle, Brian Charles Farmer, of Disputanta, Virginia, Alexandria Thomas, Tannor Thomas, Zachary Thomas, Patrick and Raeni Potter and Alex Hollenberg. She had great-grandchildren, many of whom she sadly never met. Earlean’s memory will be forever cherished by her family and friends. She will be remembered for her never wavering love, strength and dedication. She touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed.
Earlean remarried at the age of 85 to Murl Henderson. Murl was a classmate of hers in high school. They enjoyed ten years together. She has been a resident of the EW Thompson Rehab Center in Sedalia for the past six years.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, February 6, 2025 at the Reser Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Interment will follow the funeral at the Riverside Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kobie Gerstner, Alex Hollenberg, Scott Farmer, Christopher Farmer, Jim Thomas and Brian Farmer.
