Beverly Brown Henderson

1937 - 2025

Beverly Brown Henderson

June 3, 1937 - May 27, 2025

Beverly Ann Brown Henderson, age 87, died peacefully, May 27, 2025, in Greenville, NC at home surrounded by her loved ones. Born in Maplewood, NJ on June 3, 1937, Beverly was predeceased by her parents Norton Claude Brown and Tonny Tellefsen Brown, brother, Richard Brown, her beloved Stuart Henderson and son-in-law, Brian Edson.

Beverly graduated from Columbia High School in Maplewood, NJ and then attended Wilson College in Pennsylvania. She would recall that she enjoyed her studies there, but after one year of college Beverly left Wilson to marry the love of her life. Beverly married Stuart H. Henderson at the University of Virginia Chapel in 1956 after Stuart's graduation, and for the next 59 years they shared a life of great love and adventure. Stuart was ordained in 1964, and their ministry to others took them to Lakeview, OR, Alexandria, VA, Randolph, VT, and Keswick VA, before retiring in Carolina Shores, NC.

Beverly embraced each move with joy as she would encourage her children to always "bloom where they were planted". Together with Stuart, they instilled a sense of adventure in their children by taking advantage of every opportunity for enrichment and learning wherever they were living. Beverly turned each new house into a loving home and truly enjoyed welcoming people into their home with a warm heart, always prepared to offer cookies, tea and love.

A gifted pianist, she served the Lord in song over many years as church organist, choir member and occasional director. She loved Vacation Bible School and led the children's music programs for many summers, as well as many years of directing children's choirs and Christmas pageants.

Always one for adventure, Beverly eagerly embraced new Vermont experiences including learning to snow ski, maple sugaring, and local theater, where she played the violin in the orchestra. She was fully involved in and supportive of all her children's activities including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and many years of Girls Basketball events and Little League Baseball games. Beverly was an avid sports fan and a proud supporter of all University of Virginia sports, rarely missing a basketball game and following the seasons and tournaments of all sporting events.

After raising all of their children and seeing them off to follow their own dreams and ambitions, she attended Piedmont Community College in Charlottesville, VA, becoming a Registered Nurse. Her loving and tender heart was evident in the skilled care she provided to her patients as a cardiac intensive care nurse for over 20 years.

An extraordinary seamstress, Beverly enjoyed making clothes for her children as they grew including lovingly designing and hand sewing her daughter's wedding dress. She delighted in these projects. Her passion for sewing grew to a love of quilting as she became one of the leading experts in the region providing guidance to many new quilters ultimately forming "BevyQlts". Beverly made quilts for all those dear to her as well as many comfort quilts for hospitals and those with illness. Her family will always treasure these gifts of love.

Having honeymooned with Stuart on Cape Cod, MA, it became a favorite summer vacation spot for the family where many treasured memories were made. Their horizons were expanded over the years and Beverly and Stuart's love of travel took them far and wide with meaningful journeys to Israel, Norway, Scotland, Egypt, Switzerland, Antiqua, Austria, Spain, Morocco, Mexico and Germany.

Beverly returned to Charlottesville, VA in her later years and moved, finally, to live with her family in Greenville, NC where she shared joyful days with her 5 great grandchildren.

Beverly is lovingly remembered by her four children, Catherine H. Edson of Greenville, NC, her four children Carolyn (Aaron) Harris, Michael (Brandi), Timothy and Andrew Edson, Jennifer H. Browder and husband, Martin of Manakin-Sabot, VA and her two sons, Alexander (Aileen) and Matthew Bing; David S. Henderson and wife Donna of Sandown, NH and their two sons Stephen (Haley) and Charles Henderson; and Andrew W. Henderson and wife Anne of Sunrise, FL and their two children Ashleigh and Christopher Henderson. Gigi will be greatly missed by her great grandchildren Lyla Edson, Stella, Ford and Archer Edson, and Henderson Harris.

A Memorial Service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, Keswick, VA on September 13th at 11 a.m. A reception will follow in the Church Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Beverly's memory be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or The Grace Episcopal Church Memorial Fund PO Box 43, Keswick, VA 22947.

The family would like to thank Dr. Dean Yamaguchi., the skilled staff of the CICU at East Carolina Medical Center, and the compassionate staff of Gentiva Home Hospice of Greenville, NC for their loving care.