OBITUARY

THE CONSECRATED LIFE, DISTINGUISHED MINISTRY, AND ENDURING LEGACY OF EVANGELIST

ELOUISE (ELLA) G. MCHENRY

May 2, 1946 – September 15, 2026

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7

With profound sorrow, yet sustained by an unshakable confidence in the promises of Almighty God and the blessed hope of the Resurrection, we celebrate the extraordinary life, distinguished ministry, and enduring legacy of Evangelist Missionary Elouise (Ella) G. McHenry. A devoted wife, beloved mother, respected matriarch, visionary leader, licensed missionary, community advocate, educator, mentor, and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, her life was marked by unwavering devotion to God, her church, and the people she was called to serve.

On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, after eighty years of purposeful living and nearly seven decades of Gospel ministry, Missionary McHenry peacefully exchanged the labors of time for the eternal reward prepared for the faithful, entering into the presence of the Lord whom she loved, proclaimed, and served with distinction.

A SACRED HERITAGE

Elouise G. McHenry was born on May 2, 1946, in Urbana, Arkansas, to the late Theodis Gaines, affectionately known as “T-Boe,” and the late Missionary Allie Rea Adams (“Preacher Adams”). As the fifth of their children, she was raised in a home where holiness, prayer, compassion, integrity, and Christian service were faithfully modeled. The spiritual foundation established by her parents became the cornerstone of her life and ministry.

Educated in the Urbana Public School System, she attended Urbana Elementary School and Middle School before matriculating at the Oakland Institute in Oakland, California, where she graduated with a certificate in early childhood education. She later pursued undergraduate work at The Evergreen State College, Tacoma Campus, and subsequently undertook graduate studies toward a Master of Education, believing that spiritual anointing and disciplined scholarship should walk hand in hand.

A COVENANT OF LOVE

In 1962, Missionary McHenry married her childhood sweetheart, the handsome and spiritually anointed Pastor Jesse McHenry. Their covenant lasted until his early passing, and their devotion became one of the great testimonies of Christian marriage.

Together they traveled throughout the nation strengthening marriages and families while raising children who embraced Christ and became active in ministry. Their union was blessed with four children: Marilyn Marie McHenry-Johnson (Steve), Rev. Barbara McHenry, Qytrice McHenry, and Minister Jesse Antrione McHenry; and one adopted daughter, Chicagi McHenry. They were blessed with seven grandchildren: Tenecha Willingham, Monique Johnson, Daniela Adams, James Mitchell, Antrionna Fields, Jesse Fields, and Quai McHenry; seven great-grandchildren: LaTiasha Jones, Ziyana Jones, Freddie Jones, Jesse Willingham, Jeremiah Tuff, Jamia Tuff, Elijah Tuff, and Asa Adams-Davis; and two great-great-grandchildren, including Jesse James McHenry- Willingham and Javyeon Prince Ray Anderson, forming a spiritual legacy that continues to bless both Church and community. Possessing an uncommon passion for evangelism and an unwavering burden for young people, she opened her home to more than 30 children and young adults. Throughout her life, she also became a foster and surrogate mother to many, including Kirk Haywood, Bryan Spencer, Cory Haywood, Kylis Haywood, Charles Taylor, Faye Russell, Timika Sanford, Angela Sanford, and Lena Sanford.

A DIVINE CALLING

As a young woman, she actively participated in the ministry of Sunlight Church Of God In Christ under the leadership of the late Elder Cooks, Sr., and later at Sunlight Church of God in Christ in Oakland, California, under the mentorship of her parents. From that sacred moment, she became wholly devoted to advancing the Kingdom of God. She later co-founded Upper Room Church of God in Christ with her late husband, Pastor Jesse McHenry, in Oakland, California; Tacoma, Washington; and Urbana, Arkansas. Following the death of her husband, Pastor Jesse McHenry, she returned to Tacoma, Washington, and served faithfully at Altheimer Memorial Church of God In Christ under the leadership of the late Bishop R. E. Altheimer ("Nana") and Superintendent Sherman Davis and Mother Curlie Davis, and Edwards Memorial under the leadership of Superintendent Joseph Edwards. Her legacy ministry, Chosen Generation Ministries, was co-founded with her daughter, Pastor Barbara McHenry.

A LIFETIME OF CONSECRATED MINISTRY

A respected civic leader, she served as a member of the Colored Women’s Club and the Tacoma Urban League. She believed that the work of the Gospel and the work of justice were inseparable expressions of Christian discipleship.

As a missionary, she led with persistence, wisdom, spiritual discernment, and the heart of a true leader—encouraging saints, strengthening congregations, supporting women in ministry, cultivating young leaders, and preserving the doctrine, polity, and sacred traditions of the Church Of God In Christ.

Before entering full-time ministry, Missionary McHenry served the people of California and Washington State for forty- years. Her career began with The Head Start Program and expanded through several nonprofit organizations, including Opportunities Industrialization Center and Alpha House, private practice with McHenry and Associates counseling services, and serving as a visiting professor at the University of Washington. In 2010, at the age of sixty-four, she retired from public community service to devote the fullness of her time, gifts, and experience to the work of the Kingdom.

Throughout Tacoma and beyond, she was affectionately known as “Ms. Ella” and respectfully regarded by all. Yet those who knew her best understood that titles never defined her—she defined every role assigned to her. Whether teaching before thousands, mentoring young people, praying beside a hospital bed, counseling a family, or quietly serving someone in need, she remained above all else a servant of God and a faithful saint to God’s people.

A SERVANT BEYOND THE PULPIT

Missionary McHenry believed that the ministry of the Church must address the whole person and the whole community. Throughout her career and as Founder and Executive Director of McHenry and Associates, she championed initiatives providing community meals, youth mentoring, after-school programming, homeless-prevention assistance, and practical support to families throughout the Pacific Northwest.

A LEGACY OF FAITH AND FAMILY

Missionary McHenry was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Pastor Jesse McHenry; her parents, Missionary Allie Rea Adams and Theodis Gaines; two children, Marilyn Marie McHenry and Jesse Antrione McHenry (“Budda”); and her siblings, Clinton Gaines (Louis), Linton Gaines (Nicie), Veodis Gaines (Connie), Jerry Gaines (Tony), Pete Gaines, and sister Ella Ruth Hatch (Leon).

She leaves to cherish her memory her brother Leodis Gaines (Jackie) and two sisters, Alice Gaines (Jayce) and Ann Gaines Heard (Paula); three children, Rev. Barbara McHenry, Qytrice McHenry, and Chicagi McHenry; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of spiritual children, nieces, and nephews. She also leaves her devoted Chosen Generation Church Of God In Christ; elders, missionaries, officers, and saints of the Washington State Jurisdiction; the Church Of God In Christ at large; and countless lives forever transformed through her life and ministry.

A FINAL TRIBUTE

The young woman who was born in the Jim Crow South became a teacher and mother to the nation. The youth leader who gathered young people became a spiritual mother to generations. The faithful wife who served beside her mother, husband, and daughter became a distinguished leader and licensed missionary. The compassionate servant became one of Tacoma’s most beloved civic and religious leaders. The devoted wife and mother has been reunited with her beloved Jesse McHenry, and the faithful servant has entered into the joy of her Lord.

Her life was her sermon. Her family was her joy. The Church Of God In Christ was her sacred heritage.

The advancement of the Kingdom was her divine assignment. Service to humanity was her enduring mission.

Faithfulness was her testimony. And Jesus Christ was her Lord.

Rest well, Mama. Rest well, Missionary Mac. Rest well.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant… enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:21