[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 147 (Tuesday, August 18, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING LELA HENDERSON-JONES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 18, 2020

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Lela Henderson-Jones.
  Lela Henderson-Jones was born March 11, 1970 to the late Robert and 
Lee Ethel Henderson in Tunica, MS. She is the eleventh of fourteen 
children (9 sisters and 5 brothers). Two siblings have preceded her in 
death but the remaining twelve continue to have a close relationship. 
She was a teenage mother, living in a poverty-stricken community with 
limited resources available. Today, whenever she gains the opportunity, 
she loves encouraging others to persevere regarding of what the 
circumstances may be.
  Lela Henderson-Jones went to Rosa Fort High School in Tunica, 
Mississippi where she was in the top ten of her class. Before 
graduating high school, Lela was the mother of two children. Lela 
refused to allow her bad choices to affect her education. Once again, 
she is grateful for the support of her family that knew her potentials 
and wouldn't allow her to drop out of high school. She attended 
Northwest Community College to pursue a degree in nursing. One semester 
later, she left college to marry and raise her children. She realized 
that nursing is something she did not want to do. Lela spent years 
working in hotels to help support her family. She gained employment at 
the local factory (Pillowtex) in the town of Tunica.
  In 1994, Lela and her family moved to Horn Lake, MS due to lack of 
housing in Tunica County. During this time, she was married, had three 
children (two girls and one son), and was about to give birth to 
another child. She commuted to Tunica daily to work and spend time with 
her parents. After the death of her father and a brother, Lela obtained 
employment in Desoto County as a factory worker. After losing the 
desire for factory work and feeling unfulfilled, Lela made some major 
decision that would affect her role as a wife and a mother. She decided 
to return to college to work on a career.
  Lela Henderson-Jones attended Northwest Community College to study 
sociology. She was employed by Tunica County School District as a Child 
Care Provider while attending Northwest. Her goal was to get back to 
Tunica. After her first year of college and help from her advisor, she 
decided to change her major to Social Work. She received her Bachelor's 
degree in Social Work from the University of Mississippi. Mrs. 
Henderson-Jones obtained employment with Region One Mental Health 
Center as a Case Manager. This was the career path that she believed 
was her true calling in Tunica County. She had the opportunity of 
coordinating a Senior Program at Region One called ``Silver 
Pathfinders.''
  During her tenure with Region One Mental Health, Lela received her 
Master's in Social Work from Mississippi Valley State University. She 
received the position as County Coordinator that carried the roles of a 
certified therapist for individual and families, group therapist for 
anger management and A&D counselor, and case manager/ therapist for 
mobile Crisis.
  Currently, she holds the position as Clinic Operations Assistant for 
Tunica County Healthcare Authority. She assists with the daily 
operation of the only two rural health clinics in Tunica County. She is 
a Board Member for Mid-State Opportunity (Community Action Agency), and 
a Board Member for Tunica County Community Development Coalition 
(TCCDC). She's on the ministerial staff at Holy Ghost Temple Church in 
Dundee, MS.
  Lela Henderson-Jones credits all her achievements to God, her 
children (Camille, Damecos, Colundria, and Dijuan) and her family for 
supporting her and never giving up on her. She's dedicated to her 
community and the people in the community. Mrs. Jones is recognized for 
her services to her community and passion for her community and the 
people in the community is displayed daily.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Lela 
Henderson-Jones for her dedication to serving her community and this 
great state.

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