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Henderson

In Loving Memory

Henderson, Pauline “Joyce” (nee Colas)

Was received into the arms of our Lord Savior Jesus Christ from the arms of her children early in the evening of Friday, June 14, 2024.

Joyce was born July 12, 1930 in Elysburg, Pennsylvania to Rev. Harry Colas and Sarah Francis Walburn Colas.  At the age of 26 months she lost her beloved mother with Sarah’s death in September 1932.  She was raised by her father and stepmother, Lula Brady Colas, but forever missed the magnitude of a true mother’s love.  Joyce wondered her entire life how it would feel to be held by her mother.  At the age of 93 and eleven months she is finally feeling that love.

Joyce attended Pittsburg State Teacher’s College in Kansas and graduated with a teaching certificate..  She taught 2nd and 3rd grade in the same classroom and was frequently admonished for using her salary to buy shoes for her students.  She left teaching after a year to marry a handsome young sailor who attended her father’s church.  Donald Henderson was the son of the stonemason who built the foundation for the new church and a strong foundation soon ensued when Joyce married Donald on December 2, 1950.

Joyce took on the role of a Navy wife during the Korean War.  Stationed in Oakland, California, she frequently commented how lonely she was without her parents, siblings and friends in Kansas City.  Donald was required to spend days on duty at the Naval Hospital.  Joyce’s solitude changed when she gave birth to their son, Michael.

After Navy life, Joyce and Don eventually moved to the Chicago area.  They lived there twelve years, predominantly in Downers Grove where they welcome three daughters, Barbara, Debra and Katharine.  Relocating to St. Louis she quickly became a Cardinals fan and considered St. Louis her true home.

Losing her husband, Don, in 2004, Joyce remained active enjoying her Cardinals, attending events of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and doing crafts.

Joyce worked for MODOT until she was 80.  She attended countless football, hockey, soccer and baseball games throughout her grandchidren’s years.  She loved her friends, neighbors and family and would often sacrifice for them. She enjoyed the companionship of her dear friend, Bob Carron, caring for him in his final days.

Joyce joins not only her husband and parents but also two grandsons, Christopher Henderson and Mark DeWalle.  Her brother, Robert Colas and sister, Ernestine Ann Colas Moore also entered Heaven before her.

Joyce leaves behind and forever watching over them are her four children, Michael (Debra) Henderson, Barbara DeWalle (the late Donald DeWalle), Debe Hoffman (Terry) and Katie Galen.

She leaves her legacy of loving Jesus and caring for others with her grandchildren, Jeff (Tiffany) Henderson, Andrew “Mick” (Kyla) Henderson, John (Tabitha) DeWalle, Nathan (Jenna) Hoffman, Kaleb Hoffman, Cassondra (Josh) Knese and Kyle Galen.

Her great-grandchildren who loved Grandma Joyce join in the celebration of her life.  Michael, Daniel and Joey DeWalle, Avery, Piper and Finley Henderson, Wyatt and Olly Henderson, Lyla and Emilia Hoffman.

Three nephews and four nieces remain to remember their vivacious Aunt Joyce.

A woman who was an angel on Earth, Joyce’s death is not losing her….we are just giving her back.

Services: Funeral service at Kutis South County Chapel (5255 Lemay Ferry) on Tuesday June 25, at 10AM. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Donations may be made to charities serving the military.  In addition, in the spirit of Joyce, an act of kindness to someone is encouraged by all who loved and knew her. Visitation Monday 6/24 from 4-8PM Funeral Service Live Stream

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12 thoughts on “Henderson, Pauline “Joyce” (nee Colas)”

  1. I will always remember your Mom’s smile and her love for her family. Dad looked forward to visiting with your Mom and the games. Heaven holds another bright star.

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  2. Loved this lady and lady she was. What a heart filled with love and kindness for everyone. My husband would call her his girlfriend. She always made him smile. So happy she came to his 80th birthday party.
    RIP JOYCE

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  3. Thank you for sharing your mom with us. She was an amazing woman and an absolute joy and inspiration. We know she is greatly missed and we are holding the entire family in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. Love: your other Mark and mE

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  4. Thank you for sharing your precious mom with us. She was a true joy and delight, and it was an honor to have a bit of her in our lives. We know she will be greatly missed by so many people – including us.

    We are holding you all in our thoughts and prayers. Your other Mark and mE

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  5. Joyce was the most joyful, energetic, kind, ,loving, person I’ve known and so very generous with her love and life. I’ve missed her for longer than I should have. I regret not seeing her enough after she moved
    She was such a beautiful gift to Mary Mother and to our sweet friend Bob.

    I know she’s even more joyful now than before now that she’s with her loved ones and mostly her loving Lord.
    God bless her loving family until they are together again.

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  6. Love and condolences; earth’s loss is heaven’s gain. Great-Aunt Joyce always exemplified grace and lovingkindness. I cherished the boxes of clothes that she sent; it was a seasonal delight of childhood, and one of many thousands of kindnesses that she did through the years. I cherish the quilt made by Cousin Barb with Great-Aunt Joyce, and it’s on my bed right now. I loved her story about when Billy Graham visited as a young preacher, and she served him tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. I am so glad and grateful that she came to Mom’s house with Mike, Barb, and Katie, and my son and daughter-in-law got to meet her and hear some of the family stories. Great-Aunt Joyce definitely lived her life as a Woman of Valor. As it says in Proverbs 31: “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

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  7. To me she will always be “Mom Henderson”. Initially I would travel WITH Katie to visit when she lived in Texas – and then later I would travel on my own to visit Katie and still always stayed with her. She always insisted on making me breakfast no and treated me as one of her kids. One time I brought my Mom with me and they had a grand time together. I feel fortunate to have known her and very sad to learn of her passing. She was an amazing woman. I can just see her and my Mom cutting up in heaven.

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  8. She was a truthfully gracious child of God I did not get to see her nearly enough when I did she was always full of love and kindness

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  9. She was such a positive person and always had a great sense of humor. I will always have a special place in my heart for my lovely aunt!

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