Owasso woman celebrates 100th birthday with love and memories

An Owasso woman celebrated a big day on Friday.

Carmen Henderson is now 100 years old.

Bouquets of flowers and stacks of well-wishes cards are everywhere in Henderson’s home for her special day.

Although this birthday was an important milestone, her family always made time to celebrate June 28th, no matter what was going on in the world at the time.

“We grew up during the Depression and of course everyone didn’t have much, but Mom was a good cook and she would always make us a cake for it and we would get to choose what we wanted to eat and that was really a treat because everything was very expensive back then,” Henderson said. “We didn’t have much, but we had a lot of love.”

This love grew and also included Arvel Henderson. At the age of 17, she began dating the singer of the quartet.

“I met him through a friend and that friend said I would probably go on one date with him and that would be it because he was very popular. On our first date, he took me home and told me he loved me and wanted to marry me,” Henderson said.

Love at first sight turned into 67 years of marriage.

“If I am going to be or am going to be a good person, it is Jesus first and then my husband,” Henderson said. “He was a role model for me. A very godly man, I loved him very much.”

However, this love was not without difficulties. Arvel joined the Navy in 1942, during World War II.

While he was away, his wife graduated from high school and moved from Ada to Tulsa to work.

Arvel eventually joined her and the two enjoyed volunteering at their church and traveling the world.

“I remember my first time in Israel. It cost about $500, and that included the flight and a 10-day stay,” Henderson said.

Although Arvel is no longer with us, Carmen continues to live a fulfilling life and shares her love of religion and positive attitude with others.

“I have a lot of friends,” Henderson said. “I have a lot of people who are there for me. You couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Henderson will celebrate with friends and family on July 9.

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