Charlotte Aileen Henning

Charlotte was born in Upper Darby, PA on October 25, 1935. She went home to be with the Lord on April 6, 2016. Her childhood years were spent in Upper Darby and in West Philadelphia with foster parents, and then later in Havertown with her mother, Dorothy Madden Ridgley and her step father, Ralph Ridgley. In Havertown, she attended Llanarch Presbyterian Church. It is there that she met her future husband, Marlin Henning, through the church youth group. Charlotte's two boxers would often walk her to the neighborhood drug store where Marlin worked as a soda jerk. The friendship continued in their church youth group, and Charlotte had a huge crush on Marlin - but he did not know this at the time. She graduated from Haverford High in 1953. That same year, Marlin was drafted into the army and went to serve in Korea. Upon his return, Marlin attended his church's youth group New Year's Eve party where he saw Charlotte yet again. A month later, their love story began, and they have been together ever since. On March 16, 2016 Charlotte and Marlin celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. After being a wife, Charlotte's most important role in life was being a mother to her three daughters - Rhonda, Vicki and Dottie. She also was an amazing Mom-Mom to her grandsons Matthew, Michael, David and Joseph and to her granddaughters Olivia, Hilary and Amy.
Charlotte devoted her life to Christ, her husband and her family, showing God's love through caring for others. The family spent eight years living in Morton, Illinois. There, she made some close friends and continued her service for her church until their move to Plano, Texas. In 1982, she joined Grace Presbyterian Church. Shortly after becoming a member, she and the founding pastor, Cleve Wheelus, established the Stephen Ministry at the church. Charlotte devoted 25 years to this lay ministry. She started attending the local "Newcomers" group in 1982, and she made some lifelong friends from this group. Also, in the early 80's, she became involved with the church's new "Gourmet Club" which she loved! It still exists today, but now they play games. There was another group from church that got together for hamburgers once a month at the home of a pastor. They watched both religious and old, old movies. This group still meets and is now called the "Salad Group." Charlotte loved singing in the choir. She was a gifted sewer and loved sewing dresses for her daughters and her granddaughters. Entertaining and cooking for others was another joy in her life. Last but certainly not least, she became a talented quilter, and she so enjoyed making special quilts for her family and friends. Charlotte had a deep love for Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Mummers and for her beloved Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Charlotte's caring; compassion and love for others will be greatly missed! Charlotte is survived by her husband, Marlin, her daughters Rhonda, Vicki (Barry) and Dottie (Douglas), her grandchildren Matthew (Elizabeth), Michael (Anna), David, Joseph, Olivia, Hilary, Amy and her great grandson-to-be, Harrison (to be born later in April). A memorial service to remember and celebrate Charlotte's life will be held Monday, April 11, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.at Grace Presbyterian Church, 4300 West Park Blvd, Plano, Texas 75093. Charlotte will be laid to rest at the Dallas Ft. Worth National Cemetery. If desired, donations may be made to the Grace Presbyterian Church Stephen Ministry.