Veva Henson

Veva Henson was born to Bert and Edna (Kennedy) Hart in Enfield, Illinois on September 5, 1949. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Mary (Davis). She is survived by her brother Delford Hart.

The family moved to Paris, Illinois when Veva was three. Veva attended Elementary, Junior High and High School in Paris, graduating with the PHS Class of 1967. Following High School she completed training as a cosmetologist at Harold’s School of Cosmetology in Terre Haute, Indiana. She worked as a beautician in Paris for a few years.

Veva married Kenneth Dean Henson at the Nevins Christian Church August 9, 1968. Veva and Dean had three children; Holly DeAnn (Strange), Matthew Dean and Kenneth David. She was the proud Grandmother of five Grandchildren; John Henson (K.D.), triplets Hannah, Zoe and Sophia Strange (Holly) and Jayden (Matthew).

Veva and Dean moved from Paris to Arcola in 1977. Veva worked briefly at Collegiate Cap and Gown Company but spent most of her working life with RR Donnelley Printing Company, Mattoon Plant. While at Donnelley’s Veva worked in the Press Room, Cylinder and Plate Making Departments and finished her career as a Crewing Coordinator in the Bindery. Veva retired after nearly 29 years service in December of 2010. During her retirement she most enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She also fulfilled her ambition to work as volunteer at the SBLHC Cancer Center.

Veva traveled many miles with Dean on their Harley Davidson Motorcycle, visiting a large portion of the lower forty eight states. She particularly enjoyed visiting northwest Arkansas where she spent days hiking the back country along the Buffalo National River in search of waterfalls and other scenery suitable for her photo collection. She recently developed a real love for the Gulf Shores area of Alabama and Florida. The sights and sounds of the Gulf caused her to want to return for longer and more frequent visits.

During her travels, Veva met many challenges both physical and mental since the hiking and exploring often put her into uncomfortable environments such as wilderness complete with wild life, high places along the river bluffs and an occasional tight spot in a cave. In true Veva fashion she met and overcame the challenges and could proudly say she’d made it through the various “Fat Man Squeezes”, stood on Angel Point at the Grand Canyon, encountered fresh bear tracks in the wilderness of the Ozarks and para-sailed while at St. Martin on a seven day cruise. She took the same “meet and overcome” attitude when diagnosed with a class four, inoperable brain tumor in late January this year. She realized the situation was too large for her to handle so she prayed and turned the problem over to the Lord. Her faith never faltered all the way to the moment God called her home. Once again she met the challenge head on and found a means to overcome it.

Veva should be remembered as a very caring, compassionate woman who loved God, her family and other people. Even during her cancer treatment she continued to do her best to support other cancer victims she encountered at the Carle Cancer Center. She was an inspiration to the other patients, and the doctors and nurses who provided her care during this difficult time. Her attitude of “each good day is a good day” was supported by her complete faith in God and helped not only her but her family and friends during her battle with this dreaded disease.

Veva was a great Wife, Mother, Grandmother, teacher, helper and friend during her time here on earth. She would be happy knowing those who knew her will remember her as a good woman who did her best to make each day a good day for her and others who were with her.

Veva would want to include a special thank you to Janice Gee, a very special friend and wonderful person who shared so much of her time helping both Veva and Dean during this most difficult time. She would also want to thank the doctors, nurses and technicians who provided her the very best care during her illness.