of Conway, AR
March 23, 1939 - December 8, 2015
Nelle Ann Flynn Henderson of Conway, Arkansas, died on Tuesday, December 8, at Conway Regional Medical Center. Her death was sudden and unexpected, and all the more shocking because she was such a vibrant personality. She was glitter and sparkle, feather boas and jewels, furs and leopard skin prints.
Nelle was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on March 23, 1939, to Edna Virginia Lipscomb Flynn and Morris McCoy Flynn who preceded her in death. Nelle grew up in Keo, graduated from nearby England Public Schools, and maintained a lifelong connection to her hometown. She continued to nurture friendships with her many Keo friends who were like family to her.
After graduation, Nelle attended ASTC, now UCA, and received a Bachelor's degree in Music Education. She would later earn a Master's degree from UCA. During her early career, she used her considerable talent to teach voice at UCA. Her stunning contralto and regal carriage made her a much sought after performer. Her love of music and performing led her to help found and become a charter member of the Conway Community Arts Association. She was known for her performances in such productions as Lil Abner and South Pacific, but her most celebrated role was that of Mother Superior in The Sound of Music.
Nelle was a gifted teacher. She taught private lessons and elementary school music, first in Illinois, but primarily in Conway. She worked at Ellen Smith Elementary School and then spent the majority of her 35-year teaching career at Julia Lee Moore Elementary School, where she was honored with the Teacher of the Year Award. She was known for her challenging music programs which allowed students to perform for audiences and develop as singers and actors. She was also known for mentoring music interns; her reputation was such that she was almost always teaching teachers as well as students.
In recent years, Nelle became an avid bridge player. She belonged to the Conway Duplicate Bridge Club and several foursomes that met regularly. Her study of bridge allowed her to become a formidable opponent at the bridge table but also to teach others the nuances of the game. Her bridge friends became her family, just as her colleagues had when she was teaching.
Survivors are the loves of her life, daughter Erika Henderson Perkins, granddaughter Lyla LaBella-Flynn Perkins, granddaughter McCarlee Jane Perkins, and beloved son-in-law Michael Perkins, all of Benton. This small family gave Nelle so much joy and happiness. She felt from them the same love and comfort she had given her own mother, Virginia. Also surviving is a dear cousin, Bryant Lipscomb of Fayetteville. Nelle is also survived by hundreds of students who benefitted from her musical talents and a world of friends whom she loved as family.
A memorial service will be held at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway on Sunday, December 13, 2015, at 3:00 pm. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Friends who wish to make a donation in Nelle's memory may do so by sending a gift to the music program at Julia Lee Moore Elementary School in Conway at 1301 Country Club Road, Conway, AR 72032.
Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/conway
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27 Condolence(s)
Rebekah Olds Bilderback
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
I loved my music class at JLM because of Ms. Henderson. She taught us so much more than singing, playing the bells, and square dancing. I still sing many of the songs that we learned in class and am blessed to have known her. My your family remember that she lives on in you and the many students she influenced through the years.
Holly Haley
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Dear Erika and family, I had the pleasure of taking voice lessons from Nellie for a year when I was in high school in England. She was a wonderful teacher and a delightful person to know. I really appreciated her patience and the skills that she taught me. May God give you comfort during this time.
Carolyn Berryhill
Monday, December 14, 2015
I met Nelle in 1978 when we were new teachers at Julia Moore Elementary. Nelle was an amazing music teacher and her ability to bring out the best in children was legendary.
I cannot number the times her dry wit made me laugh.
We enjoyed our little jokes.
She was loved by many and will be missed by her many friends and her beloved family.
Gregg Frizzell
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Truly an amazing woman of magnificent talent -- she was my first piano teacher -- she inspired me to no end and made my first year so enjoyable that I wanted to continue my piano education for many years. Her contralto voice was amazing! She will be sorely missed. My condolences to her family.
With all my respect, Gregg
Rhonda Stout (White)
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Erika, Praying for you and your family. Ms. Nell touched so many lifes and was an amazing women. She was the joy to many of us in our childhood days. God Bless you all. She is now singing with the angels.
Mary Johnson
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Nelle will be missed by so many, my thoughts and sympathy go out to Erica and her family.
Valerie Griffin
Sunday, December 13, 2015
So very sorry for your loss! I will never forget the impact she had on me in elementary school...she was one-of-kind and the best/most FUN music teacher. What a blessing she was to so many!
Brenda McClain
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Erika and family you are in my thoughts and prayers! So very sorry to hear of your loss. We were neighbors on Shamrock for years and I have some happy memories she was a very special friend and neighbor.
Julia
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Nelle and I just had our sweet routine phone visit Friday night. So fun to ;share our latest news about the grandchildren, people we love, and our Bridge games. So love the memories from EHS and making new memories when I moved back to AR. To know Nelle is to love her, so ;rich in talent, always thinking of others before herself.. I will miss her so much. Love to Erika and family.
Nancy Williams
Saturday, December 12, 2015
As a Mother whose children, Melissa and Traci Williams, were students of Nelle, I will always remember how she could play that piano and teach those kids. She was one of a kind! My condolences to Erika, family and everyone who knew and loved her.
Tamma Wilkerson
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Nelle and I met on Sept 10th of this year. The minute she sat in my chair I knew I loved her. What a hoot she was. The last time she sat in my chair. She told me " Now Tamma honey, I want you to cut this hair short." We talked so much about family and her friends and how much she loved all of them..she was going that day to eat at a cafeteria in Little Rock with her girlfriends. She said she loved to go there because they were the youngest ones!! I laughed and gave her the biggest hug. She was looking forward to Christmas with her daughter and family. What a blessing she was to me in such a short time. I am going to miss her. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends and all who loved her. â¤ï¸
Tamma Wilkerson
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Nelle and I met on Sept 10th of this year. The minute she sat in my chair I knew I loved her. What a hoot she was. The last time she sat in my chair. She told me " Now Tamma honey, I want you to cut this hair short." We talked so much about family and her friends and how much she loved all of them..she was going that day to eat at cafeteria in Little Rock with her girlfriends. She said she loved to go there because they were the youngest ones!! I laughed and gave her the biggest hug. She was looking forward to Christmas with her daughter and family. What a blessing she was to me in such a short time. I am going to miss her. My thoughts and prayers are with all who loved her. â¤ï¸
Lindsey Jones
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Not one elementary schoo memory didn't involve her. I loved her hugs, back scratches, laughs, and most of all love.
Kate Loyd
Saturday, December 12, 2015
I love you and will miss you bunches Nelle! You were always an inspiration to me and taught me how to live life to the fullest. I always loved hanging out with you and Boomboom and I thought your house was so neat growing up! You were a flamboyant and spectacular person in life and I'm sure you will be even moreso now that you are in heaven. I will be looking for you in every rainbow from now on!
Linda Rogers
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Never in all my life did I laugh as hard as when in the presence of this wonderful friend. She brought me much joy and laughter. I will sorely miss her.
Lee Olsen
Saturday, December 12, 2015
How blessed I was to have known her and shared many wonderful memories throughout the years. What a special friend! As we sang in The Music Man "Good night lady."
Mieke Corbitt
Saturday, December 12, 2015
She was such a lively and energetic educator and will be missed by all. I have many fond memories of JLM singing and catch myself singing some of those songs to my daughters.
Glenda McNew
Friday, December 11, 2015
Dear Family,
Mrs. Henderson was indeed lovely. You wrote a loving obituary and tribute to your Mother, Grandmother, Teacher, and friend. I attended UCA from 1969 - 1974. She was a gifted performer and being an English major with a background in piano, I had the pleasure of knowing of her from the Music Department and through Dr. Henderson with the English Department. I am indeed sorry for your loss!
Bill Ward
Friday, December 11, 2015
Nelle was pure inspiration ... I was honored to be on the same stage with her in South Pacific. I mourn her passing and cherish the memories.
Karen Davis
Friday, December 11, 2015
Erika & Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through the days to come !
Our children, Steven & Jennifer, were so lucky to
have Nelle as their Music teacher ! How wonderful she was as she taught these children ! Great personality and so full of life ! She will certainly be missed !
Karen Ragan Davis
Sarah McAuley
Friday, December 11, 2015
The world of music has tsken a severe loss with the passing of Nelle. I sang with her on many occasions through the Conway Community Arts and the Evening of Opera Excerpts. She was a truly talented lady as well as a sister Delta Zeta.
Annette Haney
Friday, December 11, 2015
Unique and lovely, always loyal and supportive,
a true woman of substance was my dear friend Nelle. It was my good fortune and pleasure to enjoy her friendship for over seventy years.
From our childhood years to our golden years,
I am thankful for every year and will cherish every memory always.
Karen Matthews
Friday, December 11, 2015
I taught with Nelle for three years at Ellen Smith.
I remember her quick wit and wonderful smile, besides her musical abilities. Prayers for all of you.
Lisa Naylor
Friday, December 11, 2015
To know her was to love her, she was one of a kind! I was so sad to hear the news, but it's so hard not to smile thinking of her. Heaven just got more interesting.
Sara E. Ragan
Friday, December 11, 2015
Nellie was my first cousin whom I loved. I am sorry to hear of her death and send my condolences.
Karmen Word
Thursday, December 10, 2015
An amazing woman on so many levels. Heaven gained a true angel. I'm gonna miss you Nelle...
Brenda Bray
Thursday, December 10, 2015
I will miss her sparkle in everything she does. So long dear friend.