Ardith Jean Henson

Our much-loved Ardith "Ardie" Jean (Province) Henson passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Parkland Hospital at the age of 75. Ardie was born to the late Arthur and Vera Imogene (Bradley) Province on January 20, 1948 in Bonne Terre, Missouri. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Judith "Judie" Caleca and special cousins Randy Wallen, Bud Wallen and Debbie (Wallen) Guggenberger. Asking anyone to tell the story of Ardie with just one memory is like asking to describe the entire world through the view of a single window. Ask 10 different people who knew her, and you would get 100 different stories of what she has done. Her love for people, her family, and community, were infectious, and a desire to know and care for everyone drove Ardie to find new chapters of her life every day. She spent her childhood in Fredericktown, Missouri and moved to Farmington with her mother when she was in the sixth grade. In school Ardie had the story of being a lover of English and the written word, and was crowned homecoming queen of Farmington High School in 1965. At Mineral Area College Ardies story became intertwined with that of a nice-looking, basketball-playing country boy from Piedmont named Charles Lee Henson - a story they told together for more than 56 years of marriage. The story of Ardie is a story of a devoted mother and grandmother, one who passed down her love of stories to them through writing, acting, art, dancing, and music. To see the story of Ardie is to see the stories of daughter Shawnna, sons Shannon and Keenan, and her six grandbabies: John Charles, Chloe, Evan, Owen, Ian, and Mya. The story of Ardie is the story of someone who did notknow a stranger, who lived life with arms wide open. Ardie worked to write the story of success for her community as well, serving as a founding member of the Help the Hungry Bake Sale Committee and as a member of the Farmington Educational Foundation. The most important story came in 1976. After her mothers cancer diagnosis, Ardie stepped into the story of her faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. It was a story that Ardie lived each and every day as a member of First Baptist Church of Farmington. It would be a story which bloomed into that of a Sunday school teacher, and as a leader of the WMU missions organization. It is this faith story which Ardie would say is her favorite, and the one she told everyone she met, not just with her words, but through her life and actions. It is a story of a life so grand and filled with love and fellowship that Ardie now gets to share with those to who she has returned. It is the story of a life so full of joy and light those who knew Ardie will never forget, and the one she always loved the most. She is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, Charles "Chuck" Henson; their children Shawnna (John) Robinson, Shannon (Rebecca) Henson, Keenan (Hannah) Henson; grandchildren John (Emily) Robinson, Chloe (Garrett) Willis, Evan Robinson, Owen Henson, Ian Henson, Mya Henson; brother-in-law Dominick Caleca and special cousin Angie (Brad) Barton. Many dear cousins, nieces, nephews, other family members and dear friends also survive. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Help the Hungry Bake Sale or GLOW Womens Ministry of First Baptist Church of Farmington. Visitation will be held at the Farmington First Baptist Church Monday, December 18, 2023 from 5 - 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at the church with Senior Pastor Greg Robinson and Dr. William C. Miller officiating. Interment to follow at Hillview Memorial Gardens. View the video tribute and share your condolences at cozeanfuneralhome.com Visitation Farmington First Baptist Church Monday, December 18, 2023 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM 210 North A Street Farmington, MO 63640 Funeral Service Farmington First Baptist Church Tuesday, December 19, 2023 11:00 AM 210 North A Street Farmington, MO 63640