JoAnna Yates-Henderson

September 17, 1952 - November 22, 2021

JoAnna Henderson was born to the late Letty Mae Thompson Lee and Grady (Pop-O) Smitherman, in Chester, PA, on September 17, 1952. She was the seventh of nine children. She transitioned to her heavenly home on Monday, November 22, 2021. JoAnna grew up in a strong family of faith with her Mama and Grandmom as examples of Christian women. All seven of her Uncles were preachers or deacons. This was the beginning of her Christian foundation that continued to grow her whole life. She was active in her family churches Fairview and Marple Baptist. She attended Chester Public Schools, and in 5th grade met her teacher Dr. Jane Mayes who from that moment became her Godmother. She graduated from Chester High School Class of 1971 and furthered her studies at Widener University. JoAnna moved to Delaware after high school until she relocated and purchased a home in New Jersey with her first husband Lloyd Yates, Jr. From this union came the joys of her life, Jourdeanna, Nathan, and bonus daughter Valencia. Living in DE and NJ she made lasting lifelong friendships. JoAnna joined St. Daniels United Methodist Church in the 80’s and raised her children in the church. She remained a faithful member of St. Daniels UMC until she passed. She volunteered in the soup kitchen, was an Adult and Senior Usher, and served on Women’s Day committees. She welcomed God’s assignment to lovingly offer friendship and care for many senior members of her church. JoAnna’s professional career included positions that made full use of her “people skills” even at a young age when she worked at the Five & Ten Variety Store. Each place she worked, she left an impact, and garnered friendships along the way. Her desire to change lives and motivate people served her well as a counselor with ITT Technical Institute, and All-State Career School, before retiring. Her other positions included Greater Chester Movement, RJS Associates, Korman Suites, US Post Office, Delaware Memorial Bridge & Pacifico Ford where she met Bernard Henderson. JoAnna and Bernard’s fairytale story began 19 years after they initially met. Both of them left lasting impressions on each other from when they previously worked together. They reunited after so many years and were married on August 27, 2016 in an intimate ceremony surrounded by family and close friends. They shared a love of their children and grandchildren and their giving hearts didn’t know how to say no. They spent their 5 years of marriage constantly in each other’s presence caring and lovingly taking care of each other until death they did part. Whether you called her JoAnne, Josie, JoAnna, or Jo, you knew instantly when you met her that she was distinctively unique. And once you heard her address you as “Doll” or “Lovie” you knew you’d never be the same. Once you spent time in her presence and got to know her, you loved her. She was gifted with a number of talents that she would generously share whenever asked or sometimes even when she wasn’t asked. Her skills included, but were not limited to all things fashion, party planning, home décor, and cooking/baking to name a few. She was a giver who generously shared her skills, her time, and wisdom with all. She LOVED…. her husband, her children, her grandchildren, her siblings, her cousins, her church, and her friends. She never forgot to acknowledge a special occasion, holiday, or extend her kindness to all just because. If you received food, a card, a framed photo, a book, or a trinket it was her way to show you were thought of and loved. Her life was a testimony of overcoming challenges with style and grace. She was, indeed, a force. JoAnna was a Breast Cancer Survivor, advocate for Lupus Awareness, and a Gift of Life Transplant Donor recipient. Her faith and love of the Lord allowed her to overcome each of these health challenges through the years. You would find her encouraging dialysis patients, taking cancer patients to purchase wigs, and advocating for people to become organ donors. She wanted people to know and believe in the healing power of the Lord. Joanna was predeceased in death by her parents, siblings Barbara Adams, Gertrude Benson and Constance Lathem. She leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved husband Bernard Henderson, children, Valencia MacDonald (Junis), Jourdeanna Yates, and Nathan Yates; her brothers James C. Lathem Jr., Samuel E. Lathem, and Leonard Holland; sisters Grace L. Smitherman-Hubert, Gwendolyn L. Jones, and Michelle A. Smitherman. Five grandchildren Michael Yates, Nikki Greer, Derrell Greer, Nature Yates, & Naseem Yates. Godmother Dr. Jane H Mayes, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She is and will be sorely missed by all. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6848386118?pwd=aEowQzdmYnVRcnVlc0RJOG8wdk9oUT09 Meeting ID: 684 838 6118 Passcode: 701871