Melissa Henderson

Melissa Anne Edwards Polk Henderson was born on September 4, 1971 to Shirley Faye Edwards and Kenneth Graham in Midland, TX. She would be an only daughter to Shirley/first grandchild to Maurine and Eddie Edwards. She was introduced into the church society from birth. She was loved by the Edwards family and Johns family. Before she met the rest of the Johns family, Uncle Robert’s friend, David Marmolejo nicknamed her Nappy at 1 ½ years old. Upon meeting her stepdads parents, Deforrest and Theodore Hayes Johns Sr., (Papa Johns), Papa Johns nicknamed her Miss Lissie in Taylor, TX.

She moved to Temple, TX temporarily and back to Midland with her maternal grandparents where she attended Midland’s public schools and made lifelong friends along the way. She had talent to adjust to playing instruments and to sing with spiritual inspiration. Being a woman she had desires of marriage/family. Melissa married with children and had more children going on to be the best mother, wife, daughter and friend. She was a natural chef in the kitchen. She was employed by MISD Transportation Department.

Melissa was preceded in death by her first husband, James A. Polk; grandparents, Eddie and Maurine Edwards; uncle, Robert Gibson, Linda Marie Daniels; stepdad, Theodore Hayes Johns, Jr.; step-grandparents, Papa & Deforrest Johns, Warren Smith Johns.

Her memory is cherished by her husband, Jerry Lee Henderson; children, DeAnte (Kym) Johnson, DeOje Johnson, Jenae Dawson, James A. Polk III and Aaron Polk; one grandson; mother, Shirley Faye Edwards Johns Terry; Brother, Marques A. Johnsgrandmother, Mary Johnson (Kenneth Graham); a host of cousins, aunties, great aunties, uncles, great uncles, relatives and friends.

She followed Jesus who quoted, “Into thine hand I commit my spirit”: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. Psalm 31:5