Martha Frances Henry, 94, of Bryan, passed away Monday August 10, 2015. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, August 14, 2015 at St. Michael’s Chapel, 2402 S. College Ave., in Bryan, Texas. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 15 at St. Michael’s Chapel with interment to follow at the College Station City Cemetery. Funeral services are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral Home and Crematory in Bryan, Texas.
Martha was born in Columbia, Missouri on September 19, 1920, the daughter of James William Shock, and Martha Robinson. She graduated from High School in Centralia, Missouri in 1937 and the University of Missouri in 1941.
While a 19 year old junior in college, she was chosen to manage the State of Missouri’s pilot program for the National Youth Administration Hot School Lunch Program. Following graduation, she as employed by the National Youth Administration to supervise lunches in seven schools in Cole Co, Missouri. The employees at each school raise gardens and pick wild blackberries. The food was canned and stored for use during the school term. After Pearl Harbor, She became the dietitian for the Missouri State Tuberculosis Sanitarium in Mt. Vernon, Missouri, Director of Scruggs Vandervort, and Barney Department store cafeteria. Towards the end of the war, she managed a Defense Plant cafeteria feeding 3,000 employees each day.
In 1943 she married her college sweetheart, Walter Keith Henry, in Waterton, South Dakota. Her husband had a career in the Air Force and later was a professor in meteorology at Texas A&M University. They we married for 54 years and had three sons. All three became Eagle Scouts.
In 1957 the Henry family moved to College Station and has lived in the same house for more than 50 years. Frances worked as a registered dietitian, was the first private practice dietitian in Brazos County, and organized the local Diabetic Association. She was very active in community activities including the College Station Recreational Committee, Boy Scouts of America, and United Way. She was a long time member of the Brazos Valley Historical Commission, 30 year worker for the American Cancer Society, volunteer for The Rehabilitation, writer of public service nutrition newspaper column, and Docent Story Teller at the Bush Museum. She was an active member of A&M Methodist Church for more than 50 years. She taught Sunday school for over 30 years at Crestview Retirement Facility.
Frances was a member of the American Dietetic Association, Texas Nutrition Organization (Past State President), Order of the Eastern Star, The Campus Study Club, La Villita Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, The Governors Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (State and National Officer), Stephen Williams Chapter United States Daughters of 1812, John Person Chapter Dames XVII Century, Dames Court of Honor, Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, Magna Charta Dames, and Descendants of Charlemange in America.
Frances is survived by two sons and their wives, Stephen and Maxine Henry of Springfield, Virginia, Dale and Mary Henry of Austin, Texas; four grandchildren, Laura Henry, of Virginia, Robert Henry of Marblehead, Massachusetts, and Hannah and Emery of Austin, Texas; Sister and brother-in-law Jane and Clarence Belknap of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Her son, Carl, Passed away in 2008.
Memorials may be made to the A&M Methodist Church, Daughters of the American Colonists, or a charity of your choice.
The Texas Society, N.S.U.S.D. of 1812, send our thoughts and prayers to the family of Frances Henry. Frances was a loyal and faithful member of our Stephen Williams Chapter. She shared her love of American history and who she was frequently, leading our chapter programs. Claire Cole Lillie. Texas Society President, 2014 – 2016. N.S.U.S.D. of 1812
I’ m so sorry to hear of your recent loss I am sending out my sympathy . Mrs henry was great lady she was full of life she will bring to joy to all people she always put a smile on everyone’s faces I know she will be with heaven with God looking down from the sky above she is in better place that she will be loved she be greatly missed.
the Brazos de dios society of The T.S.C.A.R will send out thoughts and prayers and sympathy . sorry about your loss she has served as one founding members Brazos de dios society in mid 1960’s she had loved all children of the T.S.C.A.R helping them to Achieve there goals she was loyal member to la Villita chapter of college station she had loved American Revolution history she find it amazing and interesting she will be greatly missed
Laura Harding ~ Senior Society president of Brazos De dios T.S.C.A.R and chaplain la Villita chapter
Dale & Mary and all family and friends, Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
I knew Frances from church and Meteorology Dept. She contributed so much to the many people she knew. My prayers are for you in this time.