Helen (Riley) Henson, the daughter of Howard and Gertrude (Hicks) Riley was born November 1, 1929 on a farm near Craig, Missouri. She attended the Belleview School in rural Mound City, Missouri, Irish Grove School in rural Fairfax, Missouri, and Tarkio schools in Tarkio, Missouri.

On March 1, 1949, Helen was united in marriage to J.C. Henson, Jr. by Reverend Kettlecamp at the Methodist Parsonage in Tarkio.

In her early years, Helen was employed at the Royal Cafe, the Tarkio Cafe and the Tumble Inn, Tarkio. She also did housework for Florence McMillan, Tilda Christensen and Professor and Mrs. Noel in Tarkio. Helen became a Nurse’s Assistant and worked at Northview Manor for 11 years, the Tarkio Nutrition Center for 10 years, retiring in 1991.

Helen became a born-again Christian in 1959 at the Assembly of God Church in Tarkio under Pastor Lee Roy Rogers. She was an active member of her congregation, serving as Youth Leader, Sunday School Teacher, choir member, and played the piano for over 20 years. Her hobbies included family get-togethers, caring for her grandchildren and great grandchildren, quilting, crocheting and writing poetry. Helen passed away Monday, June 23, 2008 at Community Hospital, Fairfax, at the age of 78 years.

Besides her parents, Helen is preceded in death by her husband, J.C. Henson, Jr. who passed away August 7, 1983; granddaughter Farrah Henson; brothers Willis Riley and Charles “Buck” Riley; sisters, Annis Riley, Nadine Hunkins and Inace Freeman.

Survivors include three sons Gary Henson and his wife Judy, Tarkio, Tim Henson and his wife Debra, Maryville, Tom Henson, Tarkio, and daughter Linda Henson, Tarkio; grandchildren Terri Willis and husband Steve; Staci Denny and husband Matt; Amberlee Kay Henson; Jason Henson; great grandchildren, Payton Denny, Clayton Willis, Chase Henson, Raegan Denny; step great grandchildren, Ashlie and Jeni Willis; sister, Ann Phroper, Tarkio; three brothers, Carl Riley and his wife Carolyn, and Edmond Riley, all of Tarkio and Jimmie Riley and his wife Lorraine, Republic, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Evaline Riley, Fairfax, Virginia Riley, Holden, Missouri, Maxine Plotkevich, Bridgeport, Connecticut; brother-in-law Donald Henson, Olympia, Washington, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services:
10:00 am, Thursday, June 26, 2008,
Assembly of God Church, Tarkio, Missouri
Interment:  Home Cemetery, Tarkio
The family will receive friends Wednesday, 7:00 – 8:00 pm at Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio
Memorials may be directed to the Community Hospital, Fairfax
Online obituaries and condolences www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services directed by Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio