Daisy Henson
Daisy (Ball) Henson, devoted wife and loving mother, departed this life on June 26, 2018, at the age of 93.
Daisy was born on March 1, 1925, in Chattanooga, to Clifford and Abrenda Ball.
Daisy’s commitment to a life of service to God began at the tender age of seven when she became a member of Cleagues Chapel AME Zion Church. After graduating from Howard High School in 1945, Daisy met, fell in love with, and married Charles Lewis Henson on December 23, 1945. During their 63 years of marriage, Charles and Daisy worshipped and served faithfully at Cleagues Chapel, where Daisy served as Sunday school teacher, Director of the Buds of Promise, Director of the Youth Choir, Director of the Young Adult Missionary Society (Y.A.M.S.), and a host of other organizational and administrative responsibilities. Her work within the Tennessee Conference of the AME Zion Church included Director of Conference Y.A.M.S. and District President of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society. Her faithful service and Christ-like spirit had a significant impact on the lives of many.
For more than 30 years, Daisy served as dietician and cafeteria manager for the City of Chattanooga’s Public School System, serving staff and students at the following locations: Frank H. Trotter Elementary, Joseph E. Smith Elementary, Orchard Knob Junior High, Riverside High School and Chattanooga City High School. Daisy loved her job, but more so the staffs, children and teachers with whom she interacted each day.
Daisy was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Lewis Henson; her daughter, Charlotte Abrenda (Henson) Brown; two grandsons, George M. Atkinson and Marcus Brown; her parents, Clifford and Abrenda Ball; her siblings, Emma, Mary, Clifford Jr, Richard, Elizabeth, Noah Frank, Stephan, Hewlett, Josephine, Odessa, Bertha and Betty.
She is survived by her sons, Lewis Alexander (Billie) Henson, and Cedric Alonzo Henson; a dear friend who has displayed daughter-like devotion over the last several years, Mattie Moran; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
A funeral service will be held at noon on Friday, July 6, at Cleage’s Chapel AME Church. Interment will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery on July 9, at 9:30 a.m.
The body will lie in state on Thursday, July 5, after noon and the family will receive friends from 6:30– 8 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.