HENDERSON, Esther

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Tuesday, December 15, 2009 Esther Cherry Henderson, 99, passed away Dec. 10, 2009, at the Pioneer Home in Prescott. Esther was born March 16, 1910, in Camp Verde, Ariz. She was the daughter of Norval and Jessie (Back) Cherry. Her family moved to Cherry Creek, Ariz., in 1918, then Mayer, then to Clemenceau, where she graduated high school in 1928. The family moved back to the Bottle Ranch in Cherry Creek. She attended two years of business college in Prescott and worked at JCPenney at that time. She met the love of her life, Perry Henderson, a rancher from Dewey. They were married in Flagstaff April 10, 1931. She then moved to the Ranch in Dewey, which remained her home for 78 years. She loved the ranch life, going with Perry to the rodeos all over the state. Perry was a stock contractor and a bronc rider. She loved to camp, cook, driving the horses and all the excitement. Esther was the matriarch of the Henderson family. A lifetime resident of Yavapai County, Esther was very involved with her community. She was president of the Yavapai Cowbelles, board member of the Yavapai Cattle Growers and president of the Homemakers, served on the board of the Farm Bureau Association, the board of Yavapai Regional Medical Center, also a 4-H leader and was a member of the Congregational Church. Esther was inducted into the Rose Garden at Sharlot Hall Museum and was Grand Marshall for the Auga Fria Festival. She was honored for her many accomplishments. She was loved dearly by all and will be deeply missed. Esther is survived by her brother, Cliff Cherry of Phoenix; daughters Helen Cain (Gene Johnson) of Dewey and Martha Woolsey (Pete) of Dewey; four grandchildren, Perry (Bonnie) Cain of St. Johns, Lori (Randy) Savage of Dewey, Rube (Carrie) Woolsey of Casa Grande, and Skeeter Woolsey of Dewey; nine great-grandchildren, Deanna, Tanner, Dusty, Gunner, Chance, Jessie, Garrett, Rube and Nolan; four great-great-grandchildren, Alicia, Matti, Charlie Bill and Gage; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Esther is preceded in death by her husband, Perry Henderson. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 21, 2009, at the Humboldt Bible Church on Old Black Canyon Highway in Humboldt. A luncheon will follow at the church. Officiating will be Jim Jones (nephew). A private burial will take place at the family cemetery on the Henderson Ranch. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested making donations in Esther's name to the Yavapai Cowbelles Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1261, Prescott, AZ 86302, or Humboldt Activity Center, P.O. Box 622, Humboldt, AZ 86329. Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home assisted the family. Information provided by survivors.