Madge Neva Herndon

Madge Neva Bennett Herndon entered the presence of the Lord on February 26, 2020, because she had accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior when she was 17 years old. She was 105 years, two months, and 19 days old. Madge was born December 7, 1914, to Alfonso Dobson and Cora Wilson Bennett in Peace Valley, Missouri, and grew up on a farm there. She was the twelfth of thirteen children, and was Valedictorian of her high school class. Because of the vast age range of the children, Madge was five years old when she met her oldest sister. That sister had married and moved away from home, years earlier. Madge married the love of her life, Edward Herndon, on August 17, 1940. They were married almost 61 years before his death on July 25, 2001. Madge was a homemaker and loved to garden. In fact, she planted her last garden when she was 95 years old. She spent the summers canning and freezing the harvest of her garden produce. She also loved beautiful flowers. Madge and Edward and their children moved to a farm near Vinita, OK, in December, 1951, to be closer to Edward's parents. Again, Madge found her niche in gardening. The family was involved in church activities at West Cabin Baptist Church and later at Timber Hill Baptist Church, where they served faithfully for many years. In 1989, Madge and Edward moved to Tulsa, OK, to be near their son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Jenean. She was very active in the First Baptist Church of Catoosa and the Rolling Hills Senior Citizen Center. The doctor told her she needed to give up driving two months before her 101st birthday. The word "can't" just wasn't a part of her vocabulary. Yet, she knew it to be the safe thing to do. In June, 2016, Madge moved into The Courtyards at Magnolia Creek Assisted Living Facility, Altus, OK, due to declining health, and to be close to her daughter and son-in-law, Ramona and Charles Jeffries. Although confined to a wheelchair, she continued to be alert and found great joy in participating in all the activities they offered. All that knew her said "she did love life." She loved playing dominoes and was a serious contender with friends, family, and the grandkids. When she turned 100, she became a proud member of the Centenarian Club of Oklahoma. In March, 2019, Madge was recognized by the Oklahoma Assisted Living Association as the oldest resident in an assisted living facility in the State of Oklahoma. Madge was preceded in death by her father and mother, infant daughter, Barbara Inez, and four brothers, and eight sisters. Madge is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Jenean Herndon, Tulsa, OK ; one daughter and son-in-law, Ramona and Charles Jeffries, Altus,OK; four grandchildren: Audra Herndon Davidson, Claremore, OK; Allen Herndon, Tulsa, OK; Aaron Herndon, Tulsa, OK; and Jennifer Jeffries Rowe and husband, Scott, Cameron Park, CA; six great-grandchildren: Nigh Herndon, Norman, OK; Deacon Herndon, Tulsa, OK; Bennett Herndon, Tulsa, OK; Makayla Davidson, Claremore, OK; Elijah and Julianna Rowe, Cameron Park, CA; three nephews: Jimmy Bennett, Lee's Summit, MO; Allen Bennett, Lee's Summit, MO; and Rodney Bennett, Lee's Summit, MO; three nieces: Vivian Smith DeShazo, Indialatic, FL; Doris Bennett Sharp, Springfield, MO; and Donna Jean Hayes, West Plains, MO.; one cousin, Evedene Bennett, Albany,OR; one sister-in-law, Lena Richards, Loveland, CO; and three special great-nieces: Rhonda Painter and husband, Roger, Bosworth, MO; Ruth Ann Thurlo, Carlton, MO; and Ann Whipple and husband, Tom, Wyandotte, OK. Service: 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 2, 2020, Catoosa First Church (A/K/A First Baptist Church), 300 S. Cherokee St., Catoosa, OK 918-266-2859, under the direction of Moore's Eastlawn Chapel, 1908 S. Memorial Dr., Tulsa, OK 918-622-1155

Madge Neva Herndon

December 7, 1914 - February 26, 2020