MARY JANE HENRY was born April 4, 1930, in Steele, Missouri, to James and Texamer Watkins, their oldest daughter and second child. She was married to Cecil Harris, Sr., and then Joseph Henry, Sr. She was a loving mother to Cecil L. Harris, Jr. (Barbara), LaDoris Fraction (Walter), Betty J. Anthony, Gerry D. Henry (Johnniest), Joseph Henry, Jr. (Tannis), Olivia M. Henry, Marion L. Henry, Valerie Henry (deceased), Pauline Henry (deceased), Pierre G. Henry, Darcell Braylock, Shirl . Smith (Kabir), and Darren L. Henry.

She was a loving grandmother to Pamela Henry, Felicia Harris, Brandon S. Henry, Shawnee Allen, Trina Zachary, Steven L. Henry, James Henry (deceased), Darnel E. Frost, Cecil Harris, Jr., Ryan C. Holloway, Nicole Henry, David L. Anthony, Dalisa Henry, Darren L. Henry, Jr., Douglas M. Smith, Deandre K. Braylock, Lena D. Braylock, Mary Jane Henry, Ahmad Smith, Camren T.J. Henry, and Damonte T. Henry, a great-grandmother to 25 grandkids and a great-great-grandmother.

Mary is survived by her younger sister, Eva J. McIntyre (Charles) and younger brother, Timothy Watkins (Sonja), and preceded in death by her older brother, James Watkins, Jr., and younger sister, Sarah Richie.

Mary worked at many nursing homes over the years as a housekeeper and retired at age 65. She was a caregiver for her own parents until their deaths. Mary was a strong woman who believed in Jesus and enjoyed gospel music. She fed many friends and strangers in need, as she was a kind and generous-hearted woman. Mary bought a home at 2833 St. Louis Avenue and lived there for 39 years. Her family never went hungry for food or attention. She was dearly loved by her family. She lived with her son, Pierre, and was attended to by Olivia and other daughters and her granddaughter, Pamela, until her death at her home on Monday, April 5, 2021, at the age of 91 years old.