Printed in the Okolona Messenger dated March 24 1960

Final Tribute Paid F S "Peg" Henson

A solemn assemblage of friends and relatives overflowed the Presbyterian Church at two o'clock Monday afternoon when final tribute was paid Fred S. (Peg) Henson, one of the community's most beloved and outstanding citizens.

Mr. Henson, chief clerk of the local station of the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad and active churchman and community leader, died a few minutes before midnight Saturday in the Missouri-Pacific Hospital in St Louis following an illness of four weeks.

The service was conducted by the pastor, the Rev. Robert Miller, assisted by the Rev. Allison Bell. The choir accompanied by Mrs. M E Welford sang "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" and "It Is Well With My Soul". Burial was in the I O O F Cemetery under the direction of Barry Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Walter King, T O Brooks, L E DeMoville, T O Mabry, M E Welford and O W Ball. Other deacons and elders were honorary pallbearers.

Mr. Henson, who was 60, was a lifelong resident of Okolona and had been with the railroad forty years. A son of the late Erwin J Henson and the late Mrs. Daisy Sansom Henson, he was brought up in a home of culture and Christianity. From his earliest childhood he attended Sunday School and all services of the Presbyterian Church, becoming a member when very young. He was an elder, assistant Sunday School superintendent and a former church treasurer. He also took an active part in the summer services of the Church of the Moon and Stars in Wilson Park and could be depended on to serve in any place in which he was needed.

He was a Mason and for many years served as secretary of each of the three local orders. Aside from his church work Peg Henson was probably best known for his work as supervisor of Wilson Park, a position he had held for the past 20 years. He spent much of his time in personally making improvements and supervising the work and took pride in pointing out its beauty and many facilities. He was known to persons of all ages throughout the area as "Peg" or "Mr. Peg", the friendly manager who wanted every one to have a good time but would not tolerate any misconduct.

It was fitting that Peg Henson, on of God's elect, should have been stricken in the Presbyterian Church where all his life he worshipped faithfully. It was during the service on Sunday night, February 21, that he became so ill that he and Mrs. Henson left the church. It was the last time he went anywhere other than to his home and then to the hospital. Thus his life ended as he had lived it in serving the Lord. Later that night he was taken to the Okolona Hospital and on the following Wednesday, accompanied by his wife and their son, Bob, went to the hospital in St. Louis. A week later surgery was performed and for a few days it was thought he was improving. Bob returned home but was called back when his father's condition became critical. Mrs. Henson remained with her husband throughout his stay.

Mr. and Mrs. James Henson of Martin, Tennessee went to St Louis Saturday and accompanied Mrs. Henson and Bob home Sunday. During his illness grieving friends and relatives here and elsewhere anxiously and prayerfully awaited news of his condition. After the sad news came many person were heard to say "Okolona has lost her finest citizen." He was a conscientious worker, a public spirited citizen, a devoted husband, father, brother and friend, a consecrated Christian.

He leaves his wife, the former Miss Marion Cox, two sons, Fred Jr. and Bob, four sisters, Mrs. J B Helm of Tuscaloosa, Mrs. Ray Wheeler of Trussville, Alabama, Mrs. C C Johnston, Mrs. Dennis Darnell; two brothers, James Henson of Martin, Tennessee, W C Henson, and three grandsons.