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Brenda Kay Henson, age 62, Dumas, Arkansas,
passionately devoted, loving, faithful,
protective and courageous wife of Wanda Faye
Reeves Henson, went to be with her awaiting
family on the other side, at 11:47pm
February 8, 2008. She died peacefully at
home in the grateful arms of her wife and
surrounded by family and longtime friends.
She is survived by her wife Wanda Reeves
Henson; sister Barbara Ley, Chauncey, Ohio;
daughter Andie Gibbs (and life wife Terri
Valenti), Ovett, Mississippi; daughter Terri
Elliott, Omaha, Nebraska; son Robin Gibbs
(and spouse Ann Miller), Jemison, Alabama;
son Arthur Elliott, Reno, Nevada;
grandchildren Vannessa Gibbs, Britney
Elliott, Arthur Elliott, III, (and Brittney
& Arthur s mother Leslie Melancon),
Alexandria Elliott; greatgrandchildren
Leighton Albin, Alyssa Albin; numerous
nieces, nephews and self-identified
children .
Born September 25, 1945 in Lebanon, Ohio,
reared in Loveland, Ohio, she was preceded
in death by her parents Herman Oliver
Brandenburg and Mary Eliza Brandenburg and
her brother James H. DeBord.
She was beloved by everyone who knew her.
Proudest Moments:
1. Consecrating in holy matrimony her 20
year committed relationship with her wife in
the Great State of Massachusetts on May 24,
2004; thus reaping the benefits of the
social justice communities hard won rights
and her life s work as an Adult Educator
Social Transformationist.
2. Despite dropping out of school in
ninth grade, she earned her GED in 1982, a
Bachelor s degree and Master s degree by
1992 and an Education Specialist degree (Ed.S.)
with emphasis on Teaching Displaced
Homemakers, all from the University of
Southern Mississippi.
3. She co-founded with Wanda in 1987,
Southern Wild Sisters Bookstore, a feminist
resource center, Gulfport, Mississippi; in
1989, the public charity Sister Spirit,
Incorporated and in 1989, Camp Sister
Spirit, a Feminist Education and Cultural
Retreat Center, Ovett, Mississippi.
4. After the local, primarily Christian
Community held town meetings to run her
organization out of town, she appeared on
Oprah and other talk shows to defend her
organization s right to own property as
Lesbians.
5. She was a guest lecturer at 55
universities, speaking on the topic: From
the Frontlines- Homophobia in the US Today;
a First Person Accounting .
6. In 2001, The University of Ulster-Jordanstown
Students Union hosted the Hensons for a 2
week fact-finding and speaking tour in the
North of Ireland. They were issued a
Parliamentary invitation, were the honored
guests of Eileen Bell (MLA-Alliance Party)
and Patricia Lewsley (MLA-Social Democratic
Labour Party), and addressed members of the
Legislative Assembly (MLA) at Stormont,
discussing the exclusion of civil rights for
Gays and Lesbians in America (Lesbian and
Gay Irelanders are protected by their
government in the Good Friday Peace
Agreement).
7. Countless awards of recognition and
achievement including 1994 Uncommon Woman of
the Year from the Uncommon Legacy
Foundation, Certificate of Tribute for
courage and strength in the struggle against
Bigotry and Discrimination by creating Camp
Sister Spirit , from The City of Los
Angeles: 1995 Entrepreneur of Year from
Victory! Magazine: and a Commendation for
Bravery from the Congress of the United
States House of Representatives.
8. She cherished the friendships of Dr.
Louise McFarland and Shirley Kirkconnell, US
Rep. Barney Frank, (D-Mass); internationally
acclaimed feminist author Phylis Chesler,
and Lesbian Activist Pioneer Robyn Tyler.
Her life s dream, to live in peace until
her demise, was not accomplished but she
tried until the end to enjoy happiness and
love every minute with her devoted wife. And
she did.
She survived recurrent colon cancer for 4
years, empowered by her belief in positive
thinking and never stopped hoping for a cure
for all colon cancer. The family encourages
everyone to prevent colon cancer by getting
a screening colonoscopy at age 50.
The family expresses gratitude to Dr.
Tammy Young and all the Oncology nurses at
Headerman Cancer Center, Jackson, MS; Dr.
Stacey McCord, Oncologist Little Rock, AR;
Dr.Sadeen Mahmood, Cardiologist, Pine Bluff,
AR, attending physician February 4,2008 at
St. Vincent Hospital North, Little Rock, AR,
and deep appreciation to Rev. Ayla Heartsong,
Silver Circle Sanctuary, MS.
Memorial scattering of ashes will be held
at 2:00pm, Sunday, February 17, 2008 at
Moses Pier, Hwy 49, Gulfport, Mississippi.
Arrangements provided by Roselawn Crematory,
Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent
to SisterSpirit, Inc/Camp Sister Spirit, PO
Box 12, Ovett, MS 39464 or Rainbow Law, RR
1, Box266C,Wallace WV 26448; or to a social
justice organization of one s choice.
Condolences may be sent to Wanda Henson,
317 Adams St., Dumas AR 71639, or bkins45@centurytel.net. |
