Erna Henson

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Erna Marie Henson of Poplar Bluff, formerly of Cape Girardeau, passed away Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, at Cedargate Nursing Home in Poplar Bluff.

Erna was born Aug. 11, 1921, in Hornersville, Missouri, to Pete and Wilma Finch Branum. She was married Sept. 2, 1939, to Cleveland "Bud" Henson in Hornersville.

Edna was a member of Cape Bible Chapel and was a homemaker her entire life. She enjoyed gardening and was a prolific reader, interested in many topics including U.S. history.

She and Cleveland spent most of their adult lives in Cape Girardeau, but also lived in Kansas City, Missouri, during World War II, and later in Searcy, Arkansas. Most of all, she enjoyed raising her two sons and the friendships she had with those in the neighborhoods where she lived.

Erna is survived by two sons, Dennis (Leslie) Henson of Clarksville, Tennessee, and Kent Henson of Overland Park, Kansas; three grandchildren, Denny (Brian) Henson of St. Louis, Rick (Yumiko) Henson of Round Rock, Texas, and Betsy (Curt) Buchheit of Cape Girardeau; six great-grandchildren, Claire Henson, Lina Henson, Jay Henson, Allison Buchheit, Sydney Buchheit and Kate Buchheit; and many nieces and nephews, including Susie Branum Laster, Cindy Branum Gilbert and Pete Branum III.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Cleveland Henson; five sisters, Mabel Ellis, Ruth Wagster, Sadie Lenderman, Edith Branum and Bertie Branum; three brothers, McCulla Branum, Thomas Branum and Pete Branum Jr.; and a nephew, Mark Allen Branum of Hornersville.

Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home, with the funeral to follow at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at Lorimier Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.