Joyce M. Henderson

Joyce M. Henderson, age 90, of Delight, AR passed away Saturday, December 7, 2024. She was born on July 25, 1934, in Okolona, Arkansas to the late James and Iva (Parks) Stockton. In her early teens, she assisted her family in operating a café in Delight. In Delight High School she was a star basketball player and was an avid roller skater. Upon graduating from high school, she had the opportunity to join the All American Red Heads (first professional women’s basketball team) but after consultation with her dad decided to focus on work and family. She married Clovis W. Henderson in 1954 and after moving to West Texas to pursue work they had three children, Sandra, Sammy, and Shirley. The family moved back to the Delight, AR area in 1968 and she stayed there for the remainder of her life.

Joyce was a member of Delight Church of Christ. She enjoyed gardening, bird watching, collecting 4-leaf clovers, and collecting anything to do with frogs. Joyce was a pillar in our family. She enjoyed spending time with extended family and touched many lives and will be missed by everyone who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clovis and her siblings, Silvia, Claire Bee, Inez, Louise, James, and Charley. Survivors include her sister Belinda Wilcox of Shreveport, LA, children Sandra Smith of Delight, AR, Sammy Henderson (Paula) of Boulder, CO, and Shirley Smothers (Scott) of San Antonio, TX, six grandchildren Jeremy Smith, Elizabeth Henderson Hartman, Jon Henderson, and Amanda, Samantha, and Matthew Smothers. Joyce was joyful and proud of her three great grandchildren.

Visitation is 9:00-11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the Ruggles-Wilcox Chapel in Arkadelphia. Funeral services are 3:30 p.m., Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the Delight Church of Christ. Services will conclude after the church service. Pallbearers are Jon Henderson, Jon Hartman, Jeremy Smith, Matthew Smothers, Ray Wise, Alvin Burnett, and Scott Smothers. 

Arrangements are by the Smith Family Funeral Home-Arkadelphia/Ruggles-Wilcox Chapel, 517 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71923, www.smithfamilycares.com.