Ms. Shirley Mae Henderson, after 73 seasons, surrendered her soul on Sunday morning, April 8, 2012 from Wichita, Kansas.

On April 7, 1939, the late Otentha M. Thornton and Lewis McGuire celebrated the birth of a precious baby girl. They named her Shirley Mae.

Shirley attended and graduated from Fredrick Douglas High School in Columbia, Missouri in 1958. She was very popular with her peers and was elected Homecoming Queen in 1956.

She married Haden Henderson on May 31, 1966 and moved to Wichita, Kansas. Their union lasted for 43 years. Shirley worked for Boeing Aircraft for 17 years of loyal service before her retirement.

Shirley loved art and after her retirement, she sold Black Art for Personal Preference for several years. She excelled in her knowledge of art and was promoted to manager. Shirley also loved to play bingo and met many friends during her outings.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Ann Thornton and a brother, William "Sonny" Thornton.

She leaves in God's care; her daughter, Leigh Ann Henderson & Fiance', Travis, Wichita, Kansas; a granddaughter, Morgan Temple; two beloved Yorkies, Minks and Stormy; two sisters, Nettie Wesley, Pensacola, Florida and Ethel Jackson, Jefferson City, Missouri; a brother, Sanford [Donna] Thornton, Corpus Christi, Texas; an Aunt, Willa Pearl Thonton, Chicago, Illinois; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and beloved friends.

The Sacred Farewell will be held on Monday, April 16, 2012 at 1:00 P.M. in the Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, 501 Park Avenue in Columbia, Missouri. Reverend Hull Lovett, Pastor, will Preside. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Columbia.

You may visit Shirley, as she slumbers in sweet repose at the Biglow & Bethea Funeral Directors, LLC, 957 North Oliver in Wichita, Kansas on Friday, April 13, 2012 from 1 PM to 7 PM, with the family present from 5 PM to 7 PM. Also, Ms. Henderson will be available for visitation at the Church on Monday in Columbia, Missouri from 12 Noon until Service time.