Earnest Jean Henderson (née McCann)

Earnest Jean Henderson (née McCann) was born on April 11, 1962, in Cleveland, Mississippi, to the late Wilbert and Queen Ester McCann. In early 1963, her parents relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, where Jean  attended school and spent most of her adult life.

Jean completed her elementary education at Stevens Elementary School and graduated from Sumner High School in 1980. After high school, she briefly attended Maryville University before choosing to enter the workforce. Jean went on to dedicate many years of service to caring for    others through her work in various residential care   facilities. It was through her work that she met her beloved husband, Taft Henderson. The two were married in 2011 and shared a loving life together until his passing in April 2018.

Jean was known for her outgoing personality, infectious laughter, and joyful spirit. She loved to laugh and had a special gift for making others laugh right along with her. Jean accepted Christ at an early age and maintained a deep and abiding faith throughout her life. She had a     passion for gospel music and enjoyed listening to messages of God’s love from her favorite ministers. Whenever she discovered a new gospel artist or heard a sermon that touched her heart, she      eagerly shared it with everyone she knew. Her faith and warmth were evident in all she did.

Above all, Jean loved her family and friends. She cherished time spent laughing, talking, and simply enjoying the company of those she loved. To know Jean was to love her, and her presence brought light, comfort, and joy to everyone around her.

Jean made her transition from this life on December 23, 2025. In   glory, she is reunited with her parents, Wilbert and Queen Ester McCann, and her husband, Taft Henderson.

Left to cherish her precious memory are her brothers, Wilbert Claude McCann (Cherlyn) and Sebastian Charles McCann (Louise); her    nieces, Danielle Jackson, Kallie Renate Jones (Kevin), and Imani Kyera McCann; her nephews, DeVante Fox, Charles McCann, and Jonathan Claude McCann; and Alain Hein (Lisana), her great-nieces, Victoria Grace Jones, Olivia Journey Jones; and Noa Hein, her great-nephews, Aiden Maxwell Jones, Damien Hein, and James Hein, along with a host of cousins who were like siblings, and friends who were truly like family.

Jean’s life was a beautiful testament to faith, love, laughter, and    devotion to others, and she will be forever remembered and dearly missed.

A celebration of life will commence at 12:00 Noon Saturday January 17, 2026 at Leek & Sons Funeral Home 304 E. Williams St. Eulogist: Pastor Dennis Roads. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am until the time of service. 

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