Wilma Jeanette Oldham

Wilma Jeanette Oldham, 90, of Henderson, a beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend, passed away Wednesday August 28, 2024, under the care of Riverside University Hospital, Moreno Valley, California. Wilma “Jeanette” was born March 2, 1934, in Sacramento, Kentucky, to the late Genevieve Henderson and Elvis Ellsworth Barrow.

Wilma, who went by Jeanette, graduated from Sacramento High School in 1948. She enjoyed card parties, roller skating, gatherings and activities of teens at that time and had many friends. She met husband Charles on a date, and they dated while Charles served in the Navy in Florida. Jeanette and Charles married in 1953 and resided in Henderson for 62 years.

Jeanette loved being active in the community. She was very active in the DAR and served in several offices for the local General Samuel Hopkins chapter, including Regent, corresponding secretary, and treasurer. A devoted Christian, Jeanette was a member of Presbyterian Church of Henderson, where she was active in Presbyterian Women and other church activities. She was a long-time member of Immanuel Baptist Temple, where she was active in Sunday School and Women’s Mission Union. She loved traveling, and took trips with sister Debra and mom Genevieve, and she and Charles enjoyed visiting daughter Carolyn in California.

Jeanette worked for Gibson Greeting Cards as a merchandiser, a good match for her people personality interacting with many different stores. Inspired to work towards a college degree, Jeanette pursued higher education later in life, completing an associates at Henderson Community College, and her bachelor’s degree at Murray State University in 2004. Jeanette was an avid crafter who loved creating many different types of crafts and joining in knitting groups for charity. Her humor, wisdom, and enjoyment of life will be greatly missed.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by husband Charles Basil Oldham, Jr., sister June Ann Barrow, a niece Bonny Bates Smith, and nephew David Wayne Brown.

She is survived by her daughter Carolyn, partner Michael Lee, her sister, Debra Barrow, an aunt Yvonne, and several cousins, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Presbyterian Church of Henderson, 100 S Main St, Monday September 16, at 2:00 pm with Pastor Eric Hoey officiating. A reception will follow. Interment will take place on a later date at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Presbyterian Church of Henderson, Kentucky.