Evelena W. Henderson

Mrs. Evelena Waddell Henderson was born on December 16, 1946 in Wilmington, North Carolina to the late Rosa Lee Hayes Waddell and James Wilbur “Ash” Waddell on August 27, 2026. Evelena peacefully completed her earthly journey, leaving behind a lifetime of beautiful memories, laughter, music, love, and lessons that will continue to live through everyone who knew her. Evelena was a proud graduate of the Lincoln High School class of 1966 in Leland, North Carolina. After graduation, she ventured to Baltimore, Maryland where she attended Apex Barber and Beauty School. There, she earned her cosmetology license and spent several years working as a cosmetologist using her talents to help others look and feel their best. She was always willing to learn and grow. Evelena continued her education in the early 1970s as she trained to become a phlebotomist. She then worked as a laboratory technician at Garwyn Medical Center, also in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1976, Evelena returned home to Leland, North Carolina, where she began working in Southport for the Pfizer company, later known as ADM. She remained a dedicated professional laboratory technician there until her retirement in 1998. Retirement simply gave Evelena more time to enjoy the things that brought her happiness. If you were looking for her, there was a good chance you would find her outside with her hands in the soil—planting a tree, tending to her flowers, working in her garden, or simply sitting outside enjoying the day. She found joy in the simple beauty of watching things grow. Evelena also had a special gift for music. She could sit down at the piano and play beautifully by ear. She loved to sing, and she generously shared her musical gift by teaching others how to play the piano. As a dedicated member of Blackwell Chapel AME Zion Church, Evelena faithfully shared her talents there and at other churches throughout the community. Her music was more than something she played—it was one of the many ways she gave of herself to others. But perhaps Evelena’s greatest gift was simply being Evelena. She was a phenomenal mother and grandmother, not only to her own children but to so many others who found themselves needing a little guidance, encouragement, wisdom, or love. Her heart had room for everyone. And Evelena knew how to make people laugh. She was truly the life of the party. She loved bringing joy into a room and didn’t mind if she had to make herself the punchline to get everybody laughing. Her humor was infectious, her personality unforgettable, and her presence had a way of making ordinary moments become treasured memories. Above all, Evelena loved her family. Her life was enriched by the people she loved, nurtured, encouraged, taught, laughed with, and cared for throughout the years. She leaves to cherish her precious memory her devoted husband, Rickie Henderson, of the home; two sons, Keith Waddell (DeLisa) of Leland, North Carolina, and Rickie J. Henderson (Joi) of Brown Summit, North Carolina; two daughters, Marcy Smith (Larry) of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Tasha Johnson of Leland, North Carolina; and her goddaughter, Michele Hamilton (Johnny) of Gastonia, North Carolina. She also leaves one brother, Elwood Waddell of Wilmington, North Carolina; seven sisters, Shirley Waddell of Wilmington, North Carolina; Willia Vernon, Barbara Brown, Lynette Brust (Freddie), Carolyn Thonues, and Jennifer Gibbs, all of Leland, North Carolina; and Carol Martin of Bronx, New York. She also leaves one uncle David Waddell of Leland North Carolina, three aunts Helen Waddell and Vanneal Waddell both of Leland North Carolina, and Lola Waddell of Wilmington North Carolina; two sisters-in-law, Shellie Henderson of Washington, D.C., and Diane Henderson of Landover, Maryland; ten grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends. Among those holding especially precious memories are her lifelong friends, Jeanette Dabney, Myrtle Parker, Nettie Matthews, Debbie Ladd, and Cozette Davis. Though our hearts are heavy, we celebrate a life that gave us so much to remember. We will remember Evelena in the flowers she loved to grow, in the sound of a piano filling a church, in a song sung from the heart, and especially in those moments when laughter fills the room. Because anyone who truly knew Evelena knows one thing for certain: She would want us to keep laughing. Her hands may no longer tend the garden or touch the piano keys, but the seeds she planted—in her family, her church, her community, and the lives of those she loved—will continue to bloom for generations to come. Her love remains. Her music remains. Her laughter remains. And her beautiful spirit will never be