Meghan A. Henderson

Meghan Allison Henderson was born on June 25,1965 in Wichita Falls, TX. to Bill E. Taylor and Sandra C. Taylor.  Meghan went to be with her Savior on December 30,2023 in Little Rock, AR.  Meghan is preceded in death by her parents Bill and Sandra Taylor, her grandmother Edith E. Hawkins and Berry J. Hawkins Sr.

She is survived and loved by her husband, J.W. Henderson Jr.; her children: Kathleen Hall and husband Ryan Hall, Connor Henderson and wife Ashley Henderson, Rebecca Hoyt and husband Devan Hoyt, Claire Wiscombe and husband Chandler Wiscombe, Ethan Henderson, Hannah Dixon and husband Mark Dixon, Ammon Henderson, and Trisha Wallace. Also included are her brother Scott Taylor and his wife Kathy; and her sister Tracy Johnson.  Along with her grandchildren: Clayton and Adi Schelter, Lilliana and Kathryn Henderson, Stella Wiscombe, Griffin Hoyt, and Gage Hall who are all the jewels in her crown; and many nieces and nephews and extended family she loved and thought of often. Meghan would want to express her love for her lifelong friend Emma Patricia “Pat” Presley Taylor in this list of those who love her and will miss her and who Meghan loved like a sister as well.

Meghan was involved in the Order of The Rainbow For Girls in Wichita Falls where she was elected and served as the highest office as Worthy Advisor.  She was proud of the work she did in Rainbow and the lessons learned from the Rainbow for Girls organization.  For a time Meghan was involved in an old west gunfighter reenactment club.  This always surprised me as so different for her. She knew a lot more of guns and shooting than a person would think.

Meghan Henderson was a multitalented woman who never did anything that she did not excel in. At a young age Meghan joined the Wichita Falls Ballet Theatre group where she became a skilled dancer.  She was athletic and dedicated to the art and told me of how her feet would bleed at the work of it.  She excelled and performed numerous ballets and was offered an opportunity to go on scholarship to school but her heart was elsewhere in medicine.

In high school she was a good student.  So much so that she graduated a year ahead of her class and entered Midwestern State University’s nursing school program, a program known for it’s difficulty.  She threw herself into the program and did well in most all of her classes.  Meghan told me of a teacher in a class that she was not doing particularly well pulled her aside and said to Meghan “You are going to fail this class and I don’t see how you will pull it out.  Do you really think this is a field that you want to spend the rest of your life doing?”  Meghan who was a little angry at the woman told her “ I don’t have to do this for the rest of my life, I’m 18 years old and I can be a nurse for 20 years and do something after that if I want”.  Meghan finished the class with a B and graduated at 18 as the youngest student to ever come out of the program.  The next day Meghan started her new job as an Emergency Room nurse where again she excelled for eight years.  It was about that time that I, J.W., met Meghan.

After a time Meghan agreed to marry (me) J.W. Henderson and again chose to excel at another task, that of wife, mother, and homemaker.  When offered the choice of continuing as a nurse or stay at home mom she never hesitated.  She chose stay at home mom.  During our nearly 31 years Meghan raised seven fine children and loved each unconditionally and without reservation.  Meghan was a loving wife who fought for and cheered my efforts at anything I took part in with no apology.  She cultivated her talents in numerous crafts such as stamping, scrapbooking, seamstress, and finally found her passion of quilting.  Meghan was an avid quilter with over 200 quilts to her credit many of which are on display in her home.  Those who did the machine quilting of Meghan’s quilts always loved to do hers because they said they were perfect.  All of Meghan’s corners and points were aligned in such a fashion as to always be exact.  This was true even as she was first diagnosed with cancer and was on heavy pain medication.  Meghan was still able to make her quilts beautifully!

Meghan was a woman of great faith in her Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ.  Meghan was found by missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and immediately was baptized.  Again, Meghan threw herself into the gospel work with the zeal of a convert.  She did work at many callings and was Relief Society President for some time and early morning Seminary for nearly 10 years.  Meghan loved her students so much and cared for and prayed over them daily.  Excellence in faith was her calling card. 

Finally Meghan was a woman of courage.  Through the last five years of her life she faced seemingly insurmountable odds against a disease that took much from her.  Meghan Henderson stood strong with numerous chemotherapy treatments, tests, bone marrow extractions, PET Scans, etc.  During all of this she never got so discouraged that she would quit.  When the final treatment was proposed the doctors explained that the treatment was curative but that it came with high risks.  Or Meghan could choose to do nothing and receive infusions at the hospital for the duration of whatever time she survived with endless trips to the hospital and constant threat of potentially fatal infections and perhaps have a better “quality of life”.  Meghan and I went home and discussed the matter.  Meghan, like the true warrior soul she was, chose to put it all on the line and do the treatment.  My beautiful, calm, mild, Meghan Henderson was excellent in her courage.   For these reasons and a thousand more Meghan is loved and will be cherished in our memories and the memories of all who knew her and Heavenly Father has taken her into His house and His loving care.

The Henderson Family would like to express our deepest thanks and appreciation to all the nursing staff, doctors, and support staff at UAMS Little Rock for their kindness and heroic efforts on behalf of our Meghan.  These people have become a part of our lives over the past few years and were there at the end weeping with us.  For that kindness we are eternally grateful.  Thank you all.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 5, from 6:00-8:00 PM, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home.  Services will be held Saturday, January 6, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 13901 Quail Run Dr, Little Rock, AR  with visitation held from 9:00-10:30 AM, followed by funeral service at 10:30 AM.  Burial will follow at 1:00 PM at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Alexander.  Services under the direction of Smith-Benton Funeral Home.  Online guestbook:  www.SmithFamilyCares.com.