Loretta Virginia (Allen) Henson was born on May 4, 1929 in Hinton, Oklahoma to Loren R. and Jessie Willie (Phink) Allen.  She passed away on April 6, 2026 in Longview, TX.

Loretta was raised in Hinton, attended Hinton Schools, worked at Hampton’s Grocery and graduated as Hinton High School valedictorian in 1947.  That fall she entered Oklahoma Baptist University with enough funds for one semester and faith for the rest.  A student position at the OBU library became an almost full-time position as she continued her full-time studies.  During the summers, she worked as a secretary at First Baptist Church in Holdenville, OK, a secretary and Youth Director at First Baptist Church in Hobart, OK and as a summer missionary around Estancia, New Mexico.  After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1951, she continued her studies and library work at  Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Religous Education degree in 1954.  Returning to New Mexico, she was the Youth Director at First Baptist Church in Clovis from 1954 into 1955. On April 15, 1955, in Hinton, Loretta married James Alan Henson whom she had met on a blind date.  They lived in various places: Norman, OK, Tyler, Brownwood, Wichita Falls, and Abilene, Texas before settling in Euless, Texas in 1966.  Along the way, she raised a son and daughter while returning to the classroom, this time as a teacher of 4th and 5th graders at Wilshire and Lakewood Elementary Schools in Euless for 18 years.  She enhanced her teaching ability by obtaining a Master of Science in Education degree at then North Texas State University in 1973.  They moved to Fountain Hills, AZ in 1985 and then to Longview, Texas in 2017 due to health challenges.

Loretta placed her hope in God as she worked hard, persevered through health challenges, cared for others and, as a child of the depression, saw value in everything.  She encouraged those around her, including many assigned to take care of her, and contributed much time and effort to her church.  Over the years she served as GA Director, Sunday School teacher, Nursery Coordinator, and sang in the choir.  As a charter member of First Baptist Church Fountain Hills, now Cornerstone Family Church, she established the library, served on the missions and the scholarship committees and helped to lead the senior adult program.  She also was active in the Fountain Hills Writer’s Group.                                                           

Survivors include her children, Kerry Henson (Kathy) of Warrensburg, MO, and Laura Johns (Kevin) of Longview, TX; her grandchildren, William Alan Henson (KayLene), Emily Henson Pinkley (Grant) and Amy Johns, great-grandson Cooper Pinkley as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Loretta was preceded in death by Alan Henson, her husband of 68 years, parents, Loren and Jessie Allen, her sister, Nola “Sue” Allen Lindsay of Topeka, KS, and many special cousins.

The family appreciates the love and care by special caregivers  Leslie,  Kay, Lana, and  Amanda who were like family to Loretta.   They also acknowledge the assistance provided by Arabella Assisted Living, Buckner Westminister Place skilled nursing and Heart to Heart Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Allen and Henson Families Scholarship fund at Oklahoma Baptist University (www.okbu.edu/give) or The Rheinhart Scholarship, Cornerstone Family Church, 10215 N Saguaro Blvd, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268.

Visitation and viewing at Turner Funeral Home, Hinton, will begin on Saturday, April 11 at 9:00 am with a grave side service at the Hinton Cemetery at 10:30 am.  A memorial service will begin at 11:30 am in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church, Hinton with lunch to follow.

Services entrusted to Turner Funeral Home, Hinton, OK, Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, turnerfh.net, or on Facebook at facebook.com/TurnerFuneralHomes.