Scott County Arkansas Biographies

Waldron News
8 April 1976
The Scott County Bicentennial Committee Salutes:
Mrs. Lela Henderson

Teaching was always the first love of Mrs. Lela Henderson and during her life time she managed to participate in some form of instruction either in school or church for almost 70 years. At the age of 70 she painted the baptismal scene which hangs in the building presently occupied by the First Baptist Church and at age 85 she stepped aside as teacher of herBible Class at this church telling her beloved members it was time they selected a younger woman as teacher. She had taught the class for 21 years. The remaining years of her life the former Waldron postmaster and teacher spent much time among her flowers. Her other activities included reading, writing relatives and friends, daily Bible reading, and enjoying her children, along with listening to the radio and watching tv. She left a great Christian heritage for her children and friends who loved her and her memory lingers bright.

Mrs. Henderson was born Lela Leming, daughter of A.G. Leming and Tiercy Leming on July 24th, 1873. Her father, an attorney, had been a drummer boy for the Union Army in the Civil War. In 1889 Waldron realized its first two room High School organized by C. Henderson, University of Georgia, and Sam Goddard, of Hendrix College, as co-superintendents. Mr. Goddard left after a year to become a minister and left C. Henderson as the Superintendent. Henderson had started a high school at Hartford before coming to Waldron. Miss Lela Leming did so wel in the first year of this high school that Supt. Henderson recommended her to teach a term in a county school. Being 17 at the time she was convinced the salary of $25.00 per month was excellent. Her total pay was less, however, as she had to disount her warrants.

After one term she returned to Waldron, completed her school work and became one of the first graduates of the Waldron High School, and on April 11, 1894 she married her teacher. The two combined their teaching talents in Waldron for seven years then moved to Greenwood to teach several years after which they returned to Waldron. After Mr. Henderson's death she taught in schools in Mansfield for a few years before accepting a position at Central College, a Baptist girls college in Conway, Ark., until she returned to Waldron in May of 1922, became Postmaster, a position she held until July 31st, 1934. Four of her eight children were school teachers, two of them, Mrs. Luretha Pinnell in Home Economics, and Mrs. Ayline Sturdevant in Latin and English, serving almost a third of a century each. Other surviving children are Leming Henderson, interior decorator of Escondido, CA, Curtis Henderson, engineer, General Motors, Indianapolis, Ind., and Wendell Henderson, Postmaster retired, Waldron, ARk.

Mrs. henderson, leaving many cherished recollections of good in her community, went peacefully to meet her Lord on September 9, 1964 at the age of 91 years, one month, and 15 days. Happy birthday U.S.A.