Thelma Karen Henson, age 78, of Dixon, was born November 5, 1943, at Vienna, the daughter of Ora Leroy and Bonnie Marjorie (Dambach) Hutson, and passed from this life Friday, January 7, 2022, in Cedar Point, Rolla.

She was united in marriage May 18, 1962, at Richland, to the love of her life, Paul Dell Henson, to this union, three children were born.

Karen accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized early in life and was attending Sheppard Baptist Church, near Dixon, long as her health permitted prior to her passing.  Activities she especially enjoyed included fishing, hunting, doing ceramics, sewing, drawing, and just all arts and crafts in general.

Her love and compassion for children played a big part in determining her life's work as a childcare provider.  Karen was owner and operator of Henson Day Care, Dixon, for over fifty years prior to her retirement.  Words cannot express that to many children, she was just like their second mom and grandma when Karen was caring for them.

Those left to celebrate the life of Karen include:  Her loving and devoted husband of almost sixty years, Paul Henson, of their home in Dixon; her three children, LaGail Teel of Rolla, Mark Henson of rural Dixon, and Kari Hammond of Vienna; six grandchildren, Deborah Decker (Robert) of Dixon, Levi Teel (Adrienne) of Vienna, Payden Henson (Samantha) of Eugene, Hannah Henson of Freeburg, and Devin Hammond (Tiffany) and Hallie Hammond all of Vienna; eleven great-grandchildren, Gracie, Ashley, Kennedy, Carley, Alannah, Brock, Clyde, Dakota, Harley, Dominic, and Damian; two brothers, Billy Hutson of Vienna, and Edward Hutson (Vickie) of Jefferson City; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Marie Hutson Bell (Franz) and Marie Henson all of Dixon, and Lillian Brandt (Eddie) of Stoutland; cousins; nephews; nieces; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ora, October 14, 1984; her mother, Bonnie, August 18, 2008; one brother, Larry Don Hutson, July 15, 2000; one grandson, Dustin Robert Teel, May 30, 2000; sister-in-law, Wanda Evelena Hutson, November 1, 2020; great-niece, Makayla Lynn Hutson, August 20, 1999; and brother-in law, Lloyd Allen Henson, June 9, 2010.

Visitation for Mrs. Karen Henson will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 11, 2022, in Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, 105 East Third Street, Dixon, Mo 65459, with her funeral service following at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel with Bro. Eddie Brandt officiating.

Interment for Mrs. Henson will be in Dixon Cemetery under the direction of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home in Dixon.  Pallbearers for Mrs. Henson will be Payden Henson, Levi Teel, Devin Hammond, Aaron Hutson, Derek Hutson, and Josh Hutson, and her honorary pallbearers will be Mark Henson, Bobby Teel, Billy Hutson, Edward Hutson, Preston Brandt, Jim Edgar, Robert Decker, and Daren Hammond.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Karen Henson are suggested by her family to Dixon Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund with envelopes available at funeral home day of service or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box EE, Dixon, Mo 65459.