Morrell (Henson) Roper

Morrell Henson Roper was born January 5, 1942 in Kilmichael, MS. She was the third child of John A. and Flora Sanders Henson. She went to be with the Lord on April 4, 2017 peacefully at home. She is preceded in death by both her parents, her grandson, Christopher Covington, Jr., and her brother, Joe Henson.

She is survived by her loving husband, Leo; her daughters, Krystal Leonard (Rick) and Patrice Covington (Christopher, Sr.); grandson, Anthony Roper, Sr. (Leann); three great grandchildren, Anthony Roper, Jr., Jazmine Covington and Tierra Rodney; eight brothers, Albert Henson (Orsie), John Henson, Bobby Henson, Sammy Henson (Annette), Matt Henson, Jim Henson (Eva), Henry Lee Henson (Betty) and Otha Henson (Lillie); four sisters, Birdean Campbell (Leroy), Dorothy Coffey (Redell), Shirley Henson and Rachael Gilbert; brother-in-law, Edward Roper, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Morrell graduated from Montgomery County Vocational High School in 1961 and moved to Hammond, IN shortly thereafter. There, she met her future husband, Leo, and they were married in 1965. The family moved to the Washington metropolitan area in 1968 where Morrell was employed with George Washington University Hospital for 32 years.

As a teenager, she wanted to be a writer and she read all kinds of literature and old newspapers she collected. Writing was her passion and the medium that ignited her passion for life, people, places and things. Through this medium she found that she could give the poor, the children, the elderly and the downtrodden a voice so their plight could be heard and addressed. She focused on young people, especially those whom society may have turned their backs on. She felt the despair among the young that sprang from the silence of their voices by adults who misread their cries for help. On top of the numerous guest commentaries which she wrote for various newspapers such as the Washington Post, NWI Times, Bradenton Herald and Tempo, she established the Nomad Academic Center and Nomad Travel for Children. She worked closely with the Boys and Girls Clubs of NWI and Tallevast Community Center in Florida. She organized and led a group of teenagers from Indiana to come to both of the inaugurations for President Barack Obama. In 1998, she was acknowledged as one of six outstanding women business owners by the National Federation of Black Women Business Owners.

Travel was her second love, and with her husband, she had the opportunity to travel to the Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Thomas, the Cayman Islands and Africa.

The love of her family was primary in her life. Where there was a need, she met it; where there was a sickness, she was there: where one needed to be encouraged, she gave it; where one needed a home, she opened her doors. She knew what it meant to deny herself and focus on the greater picture in times of needed. Such was her love for family; such was her willingness to do all she could, while she could; such was the Morrell we all knew; such is the Morrell we will all miss.

No, she was not perfect, as a person. None of us are. But she was perfect in her giving, sharing and helping despite the cost. She showed us all how to lay down our own needs for the greater need of serving others.

Pallbearers

Anthony Roper          Derik Coffey          Terrance Coffey

Marcus Henson         Larry Campbell          Sammy Henson

****Pastor Tim Henson, Officiating

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