Anita Henson

(From Parker Mortuary)

Anita Jean Henson, 76, of Joplin, passed away on Friday, January 13, 2023, after a nearly 12 year battle with cancer.

Anita was born on July 5, 1946, to the late Fred and Dorothy (Carlton) VanPelt. She attended Eastmorland elementary school, Joplin High School, and graduated from Kansas State College of Pittsburg with a Bachelor of Arts degree in teaching. 

She married Robert (Bob) Henson on August 10, 1969.

 

For more than 25 years, Anita taught elementary school in Pittsburg, Kansas and Webb City, Missouri. She was given the Cardinal Award by Webb City schools for outstanding teacher in 1998.

She is survived by her husband, Bob; her children, Rob Henson, and his wife, Heather, and Amy Johnson, and her husband, Everett; her grandchildren, Caroline Henson, Grant Henson, Hayden Henson, Anna Kate Henson, Madison Johnson, and Logan Johnson; her brother, Rick VanPelt, and his wife, Kay; her cousins, Tom McKay, and his wife, Brenda, Marilyn McKay, and Jane McKay; as well as her nephew, Ryan VanPelt, and his wife, Jennifer, and a niece, Natalie Dodd, and her husband, Michael.

 

Funeral service will be held on Friday, January 20, 2023, at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Joplin with Pastor Chris Belk officiating with private family burial to follow. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers, to the American Cancer Society and may be entrusted to the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin.