Hernando, MS-Jane Wheeler Pennington Henderson taught public school in Hernando for 39 years. Until her death last year at age 96, “Miss Jane” was an icon for Hernando. Though she had no biological children, she had hundreds of “children”, ranging from police chiefs to educators, aldermen and city and state government officials.
Two of those friends and admirers of Miss Jane have established an endowment at the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi to perpetuate her memory and to continue her good works for the children of Hernando. They encourage others who were touched by Miss Jane’s influence to contribute to the endowment in her memory.
The widow of Charles Pennington and Ben Henderson was born in 1917 in Love Station. Following graduation from Blue Mountain College where she was a member of Delta Kappa Society, “Miss Jane,” as she was known,taught school in Hernando and was named to the Outstanding Leaders in Elementary and Secondary Schools.
Miss Jane was an active member of the Fellowship Baptist Church and Woman’s Club in Hernando. She was chairman of The Cancer Society for DeSoto County for many years, served as a delegate to the Mississippi National Democratic Convention and was Secretary and Treasurer for Memphis Amateur Field Trials for 39 years.
The endowment in her memory will provide assistance for needy children in Hernando as identified by school teachers. An advisory committee will review the requests and recommend assistance. Charlie Emerson and Ed Edwards said they were pleased to establish the endowment and hope that Miss Jane’s many friends will use it to honor her memory and continue her positive influence in Hernando.
Contributions can be made online at www.CFNM.org, or by check to the Community Foundation at 315 Losher St., Hernando, MS 38632.
The Community Foundation manages 233 donor-established funds and has distributed $18.3 million to support more than 420 charitable organizations and activities recommended by its donors, as well as charitable programs established by the foundation. Established in 2002 with a generous grant from the Maddox Foundation, the Community Foundation is an independent 501.c.3 charitable organization. The Foundation serves Bolivar, Coahoma, DeSoto, Leflore, Marshall, Panola, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, and Tunica counties. A board of 19 volunteer civic leaders governs the Community Foundation. Learn more about the Community Foundation at www.cfnm.org or call 662.449.5002.