Mrs. Barbara Jo Henderson

She was born Barbara Jo McCadney on July 28,1943, in Henning, Tennessee, to Dalton and Herdestine (Lake) McCadney. Barbara Jo, called Jo by family, accepted Christ and joined Canaan Baptist Church. After moving to Milwaukee, she joined Mount Moriah Baptist Church and assisted her husband, a deacon at Ebenezer COGIC by serving as a Sunday school teacher. Most recently she had been a faithful member of Christ the King. Barbara united in holy matrimony to Willie Henderson. To this union, three children were born: Kimberly, Karlena, and Karolyn. She also raised her grandson, Naaji Henderson, and helped raise her stepchildren, Willie Henderson, Jr., and Louise Henderson Miller. Barbara graduated from Lauderdale High School in 1962. In May of 1974, she earned her degree in Sociology from Alverno College. Barbara assisted her husband in launching and growing several successful businesses which included a popular diner. She began her own career as a businesswoman opening an insurance firm. She later opened an art gallery and also sold dessert pies in local grocery stores and at community events with her sister, Dorothy Jean. Barbara's desire to make a difference led her into education and she became an educator teaching generations of high schoolers for the Milwaukee Public School system. Barbara distinguished herself in the community as a popular speaker at local churches and ran for public office as a County Supervisor. She championed education, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance. Barbara modeled the importance of her Christian faith and devotion to family and public service. In many of her pursuits, Barbara was ahead of her time. She worked closely with her daughter, Kimberly, to establish a local chapter of the International Student Exchange Organization, American Field Service, the first to be located in a church. She welcomed youth from abroad to live in her home, hosting youth from Costa Rica, Kenya and South Africa while also encouraging her daughters to live and travel abroad. She encouraged a strong interest in their self-identity as African American women while exposing them to cultures around the world. Barbara served as a beacon to the youth in her family and those she taught. The family wishes to acknowledge the "fourth daughter" Andrea Chauncine Chambliss, daughter of Dorothy Jean, who Barbara formed a close relationship with. She mentored her students, nieces, and nephews through tough times and often welcomed students into her home. Many students will remember her for her in-school art installations celebrating African American history. Her surviving children, nieces, and nephews will remember her as a visionary, and as a driven, brilliant woman and a patient and loyal mother and aunt who encouraged them to pursue their goals. When not working, Barbara loved to cook and entertain for her family and friends. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren Naaji, David, Nathanial, and Madelyn and great-grandchildren, Zoe and Arielle. Barbara enjoyed traveling both domestically and internationally. She departed this life on Monday, November 7, 2016. She was preceded in death by: her husband, Willie Henderson, Sr.; parents, Dalton and Herdestine; step-father, Clyde Hurdle; child, Karlena T. Henderson; brother, DeFrank McCadney; sisters, Dorothy Jean Chambliss and Joyce Pate; and stepchildren, Willie Henderson, Jr., and Louise Miller. Those left to cherish her memories are: her children, Kimberly T. Henderson of Washington, DC, and Karolyn (John) Taylor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Naaji Henderson, David Henderson (Hermoine), Kareem & Omar Miller, and Nathaniel & Madelyn Taylor; siblings, Cora Winbush, Annie Anderson, Iva (Daniel) Jarrett and MC (Eva) Jones; sisters- in-law, Bernice Adams and Johnny Mae Henderson; brother-in-law, Johnny (Pam) Henderson; aunts, Rosie Mae Lee and Ever Lou Read; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mrs. Barbara Jo Henderson

July 28, 1943 - November 7, 2016