Mozetta (Hull) Henry

It Does Not Matter How Long

You Live—

but How Well You Do It!

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A pillar of strength, generosity and kindness to all who knew her, Mozetta Hull Henry of Homestown, Missouri, peacefully entered into eternal rest Wednesday, February 11, 2015, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti, Missouri.

Her lifetime has been dedicated to her family and to promoting and  exemplifying Christian and community service. Mrs. Henry will be remembered as a well-respected and beloved daughter of the Bootheel who will be greatly missed by the scores of people she touched during her 103 years of life.

Mozetta was the first of three daughters born to Rev. Ernest Thornton and Emma Hull in McCool, Mississippi. Her parents and siblings, Rose and Vernette, preceded her in death. Growing up as a pastor’s daughter in a Christian household, she often commented that she cannot remember a day of not believing in Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of her life.

The family relocated to New Madrid County,  Missouri, when she was 11. There, she met and married the love of her life, the late Lewis C. Henry, Sr., her husband of 61 years. They were the proud parents of nine children, five boys and four girls. The Henrys moved to the Delmo Housing community of Homestown in 1944 and became members of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church where her father was pastor. They were also the owners of a thriving grocery mercantile until the late 1960s.

"Her Hannah Moments"

1 Samuel 1:28

Mozetta was a devoted mother to Lewis Calvin Jr. [aka "L.C."], Olene, Earl Gene [aka "Mickey"], each deceased; Juanita Lorraine Henry, Pinky Dowell (family adopted), Vernette (James) McNeal, all of Hayti, MO; William Arthur II "Pea" (Faye) of Pittsford, NY; Phillip Douglas (Maxine) of Chicago, IL; Deborah Jo (Larry) Edmonds of Colonial Heights, VA; Tonie Michele (Gary) Powell of Woodbridge, VA; and the granddaughter she and Lewis were blessed to raise, Crystal [aka "Chris" ](Anthony) Arful-Addoh of Centreville, VA.

Mozetta penned this message found after her passing to her children:

"Dear Children,

This letter is an expression of my love for you and my thanks to God for blessing my life with you, my sons and daughters. Because of you, I have had a beautiful, enjoyable and rewarding life. In less than 24 hours after each birth, under the direction of my Father, I gave you back to God; and sometimes I think it worked."

"A Great Sense of Accomplishment"

Philippians 4:13

Mozetta was a forward-thinking woman with a very charitable nature. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of life – like tending her flower garden and sitting on her front porch. She was an avid reader, a very accomplished cook, and loved to quilt, upholster and experiment with home décor. "Miss Henry" was a very conscien-tious resident of the Homestown Community serving as a member of the city council and city clerk for many years. She was the consummate volunteer and championed several community projects such as the Willing Workers Club, Thrift Shop and Romper Room. She also held several appointments to various local, state, and national committees.

Both she and her husband were active members of the Prince Hall family of fraternal organizations. She was a member of the Blanche B. Hill Court #43 Heroines of Jericho, where she rose to become the first Most Ancient Grand Matron from the rural region of the State of Missouri. Her membership extends to the Central Star Chapter #114 Order of Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation, where she served as Past Worthy Matron.  In addition to her Masonic service, she has been a faithful member of the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church for more than 70 years. She has served in many capacities, to include Sunday school teacher for intermediate, senior and adult classes, church clerk, youth director, choir member and women’s mission president. She also held the position of the Pemiscot-Dunklin District Association Women’s Department President and Missouri State Baptist Convention Memorial Chairperson.

Prior to her retirement in the mid 1980s, Mozetta was employed for many years as a youth educational assistant for the University of Missouri Extension Services. She worked previously as a program director for the Office of Economic Opportunity and as a member of the National Advisory Council on Migrant Health, traveling across the country as an advocate for migrant workers.

Her civic involvement spanned numerous organizations to include longtime membership in NAACP #4074 and adult basic education teacher for AmeriCorps/Vista. Being a strong advocate for higher education, especially for women of color, she enrolled in Southeast Missouri State University in 1973. Family responsibilities precluded her from completing her bachelor’s degree; however, Mozetta considered this undertaking one of her proudest accomplishments.

She leaves to cherish precious memories her children, 22 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, several great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and many wonderful friends.

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