FRANKLIN
Dorothy (Mom-Mom) Jean Henderson
June 17, 1939 – August 6, 2023
For weeks Dorothy fought to keep her earthly connections intact and remain here with her family. However, on Sunday morning of August 6, 2023, while still fighting, God showed her the light of heaven. She released her grip on earthly restraints and was transfigured into a beautiful white angel and was no longer bound or held captive by human frailties. We, who knew and loved her, remain to seek out the memories and bits of life we can use to fill the hole in our hearts.
A lot of families in Johnson County will remember “Mom-Mom” because she operated a daycare in her home on Campbell Rd, near Clark School, for 42 years! Many who attended her daycare later brought their own children for her to watch. The parents loved her as did the children who often didn’t want to go home at the end of the day!
The family invites you to follow their example by celebrating the wonderful life Dorothy experienced rather than being sad &grieving. She graduated from Clark High School in 1957 and married her favorite classmate, Roy (Doc) Henderson! They enjoyed 61 years of wedded bliss and spent their entire lives living in Johnson County where they made many friends. Dorothy loved being with her family on holidays and birthdays, she loved going on cruises with her sisters, she especially liked Christmas and decorating her house. She also loved having fun, laughing and telling silly jokes. Of course, her four cats held a special place in her heart, and in her lap, being pampered. One very special invitation she received and was always ready to talk about was being invited to the White House for a Christmas Reception/dinner, plus a meet and greet with President George W Bush. When introduced, the President said to her, “Come on over here Dorothy and let’s get a photo taken”! Quite a memento to hang on your wall! Dorothy also truly loved the movies of Doris Day and could watch them daily. She even received an autographed photo from the actress!
Dorothy is survived by the following close relatives, most of who are from Franklin: daughter Jennifer Ross, son David Henderson (Diana), granddaughters Kayla Ellis (Miranda), Kellie Kight (Dennis), Bethany Dougherty (Hunter), Morgan Keith and Macie Keith, grandsons Evan Henderson (Sara), Nathan Young (Jenny) and Kaden Henderson, brother Leroy Cooper (Judy), and sister, Marie Cooper of Winterville, NC. Her life was blessed with 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Roy (Doc) Henderson, parents Elmer &Rose Cooper as well as two sisters, Flossie Shepperd and Mary Gomez.
There will be a celebration of Dorothy’s life for family and friends on Wednesday, August 16, from 5p – 7:30p, at the Amity Fire House. If you wish to send flowers you may send them to her daughter, Jennifer Ross, at the following address, for display at the Fire House: 3090 N. Morton Street, Lot 16, Franklin, In. 46131. Everyone is welcome to come, bringing your smiles and happy faces, to help remember Dorothy. If you have memories, stories or anecdotes you’d like to share I’m sure Dorothy will be there in spirit loving all the fun! She was 84 years old when she was called home after living a rich life. I’m sure she would say to all of us, “Don’t grieve for me because my earthly life was full and wonderful, and my Heavenly life is even better!”
