Naomi “Eileen” Hammer Henson passed away on December 20, 2007 at the age of 90 with her children by her side.
Eileen was born on April 16, 1917 in Newark, Ohio to James and Beulah Hammer, the youngest of three daughters.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Nederland with Rev. Eldon Reed officiating. Burial will be at the mausoleum in Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches, Texas. A gathering of family and friends was held from 5:00-7:00 PM on Friday at the mortuary.
She began college, a life’s dream, at age 47 attending Lamar University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics. She continued her studies earning a Master of Education in English. Honors at Lamar included memberships in Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Alpha Lambda Delta, Kappa Omicron Phi and Freshman Honor Society.
She was employed at Bridge City Junior High School where she taught 7th grade English for 15 years. She had a deep love for poetry and each year her students were required to submit a compilation of their favorite poems with their analysis and illustrations as part of their yearly assignment.
After retirement she enjoyed traveling to many countries, her favorite being England where she revisited several times.
Eileen was an accomplished seamstress as well as other forms of handwork. She loved flowers and studied and became a Nationally Accredited Flower Show Judge winning many competitions herself. She also had a love of the arts and enrolled in an art class painting in oils and pastels. Her children have some of her work and others are in her home.
A life-long member of First United Methodist Church in Nederland, she sang alto in the Chancel Choir for over 50 years. She also served as Altar Flower Chairman and taught Sunday School classes.
She loved her family and friends and is survived by daughters Sonya Henson Willis of Nederland, Carol Henson Perkins of Beaumont and son James Henson and wife Cheryl of Englewood, New Jersey. Grandsons Kent Willis and wife Jana of Dripping Springs, Tx., Kevin Willis and wife Tanya of Victoria, Tx., Kyle Willis of Nederland and Ron Hollier and wife Linda of Nederland. One granddaughter, Jennifer Henson Deisher of Littleton, Colorado.
Great-grandchildren are Christopher, Preston and Sarah Willis of Dripping Springs, Tx., Brady and Blake Smith of Littleton, Colorado and Sondra Hollier of Beaumont.
Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons Kent Willis, Kevin Willis, Kyle Willis, Ron Hollier and family friend Ken LaGrappe.
In lieu of food and flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Odyssey Healthcare of Beaumont or the charity of choice. The family would also like to express their gratitude to Odyssey Hospice and friends for their love and support.
“Let us go in; the fog is rising.”
Attributed last words of U.S. Poet Emily Dickinson (1930-36)
