Jeretta Bishop Henry

Jeretta Bishop Henry was born on January 6, 1932 in Braithwaite, Oklahoma, the 4th of 8 children to Gladys and Clarence Bishop. She grew up in Oklahoma, then Amarillo, Texas where she met the love of her life, Fred Henry at Amarillo High School. They were married in 1947 and had four children: James, Paula, Janet and Annette. Their children were born in Amarillo and Dumas, Texas. In 1969 they moved to Houston where Jeretta taught at the Mennonite Daycare and later started and was the Director of the Big Little School and Mother’s Day Out program at Terrace United Methodist Church. In 1979, Jeretta and Fred moved to Richardson, Texas where they lived until 2013. Jeretta taught preschool at First UMC Richardson, and in later years was an active volunteer with their senior program. Jeretta originated the bread ministry for first time visitors, a ministry which is still active today. In 2013, Jeretta and Fred moved back to Houston to be closer to their children. Before Fred passed away in 2016, he and Jeretta celebrated 69 years of marriage. Jeretta joined him when she passed away peacefully in her home on October 20, 2018.

Jeretta is preceded in death by her husband, Fred, and her son, James. She is also preceded in death by her parents, Gladys and Clarence Bishop, her brothers Loel, Donald, David, and her sister, Lorena. Jeretta has 3 living siblings: Jerry Bishop, Glenna Foster, and Sue Boling. She is survived by daughter, Paula Poynter and husband Brad, daughter Janet Boone and husband Bob, daughter Annette Henry, and son James’ wife, Barbara Henry. Jeretta is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Shelley English, Amy Eccles, Renee Boone, Philip Boone, Melissa Collier, and Mason Cala. She has 8 great-grandchildren: Josh Eccles, Christopher Eccles, Mallorey English, Thomas James English, Hannah Collier, Luke Slack, Mora Slack, Adele Boone and was looking forward to #9 Leigh Boone’s birth in December.

Jeretta loved Jesus and her family more than anything else in the world. As her time grew close, she assured her daughters that she was in the presence of family who had passed before her, and who had gathered to welcome her. Especially present with her during her final days was her beloved husband, Fred.

A celebration of Jeretta’s life will be Monday, November 19, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay, Houston, Texas 77024.

Donations in Jeretta’s memory may be made to The Chapelwood Foundation, 11140 Greenbay, Houston, Texas 77024.