Elizabeth Henderson, August 16, 1931 — October 09, 2018

Obituary for Elizabeth Henderson Mrs. Elizabeth B. Henderson, of 115 Mayapple, passed away on October 9, 2018 at Hospice House. She was the youngest and last surviving member of her family having lost a brother on the Russian front, lost another brother in the early 1960’s, and twin sisters shortly after their birth. Mrs. Henderson was born to Albert and Berta Behlau in Heilsberg, East Prussia on August 16, 1931 where she lived until the start of World War Two.

During the war, she witnessed many terrible things, was relocated west several times due to the advance of the Russian army, and suffered great hardships as the war progressed, losing her father during the war and her mom soon after the war ended. After the war, while working in Berlin in the mid 1950’s, she met Sergeant Harry Henderson of Greenwood. They returned to America to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and were soon wed.

Afterwards, they moved to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Fort Gordon, Georgia, and finally to Greenwood. She became a naturalized citizen of the United States. After their children were of school age, she went to work at Greenwood Mills and then on to a long career at Capsugel from where she eventually retired.

After her husband’s passing, she sought out her remaining family in Germany and started visiting regularly, travelling over the past 15 years with her cousin, Karl Heinz Kaehler of Bochum, Germany. Spending winters in Greenwood where it was warmer and summers in Bochum where it was cooler, they spent six months each year at each other’s homes and travelled extensively in America and Europe. As her health started to decline, Karl Heinz took very good care of her for several years until very recently.

We, her children, cannot thank him enough for his love and care for her over these years. She is survived by two sons, Steven and wife Lisa, Mikel and wife Kristi, both of Greenwood and a daughter, Kathy Henderson of North Miami, Florida, and a step-daughter, Laura Henderson Kniaz of Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, five grandchildren and one great grandchild. A private service will conducted at the Greenwood Memorial Gardens at a later date.

Harley Funeral Home is officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Hospice House of The Piedmont. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Elizabeth Henderson please visit our Sympathy Store.

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