Mrs. Veachel Mae Hendrickson

On Monday, November 25, 1935 in Savoyard, Kentucky our beloved mother was born into this world. Her parents, John and Annie Mae Brewer Yates named her Veachel Mae Yates.

A woman of Godly principles and integrity, she learned to love God and people early in life. At an early age, she gave her life to Christ at Old Blue Springs Baptist Church in Knob Lick, Kentucky.

Growing up in Metcalfe County, Kentucky, our mother worked on the farm with her family and walked to school with her sister Arneva. In 1954, she graduated from Ralphe Bunche High School in Glasgow, Kentucky. The Ralph Bunche School, built in 1950, was the only African American school in town at the time, and it offered classes for students of all ages from first grade through seniors graduating high school. Shortly after graduation, our mother stepped out on faith, leaving her family and boarded a bus to Indianapolis, Indiana. While living with her sister Pearline, she found employment at Hooks Drugs (now known as CVS) and later became the head cook. After 45 years of faithful service, our mother retired from CVS Distribution Center.

On November 23, 1957, she married the love of her life Joseph Earl Hendrickson. To this Holy union we were born: Brenda Denise, Linda Jo, and Jennifer Kay. Our parents instilled their Godly values in us. Our childhood was filled with love, happiness, and support. We made our parents proud by each matriculating and graduating from college (Brenda- Purdue University, Linda- Butler University, Jennifer- Tennessee State University). Her life with and love of our father was very special. She enjoyed traveling across the United States by car and RV. After retirement, she and our father loved traveling on cruises with our Aunt Emma and Uncle Bernie. They made many memories traveling for multiple years on the Carnival Cruise Lines. She also enjoyed trips to family reunions, gatherings, and any reason to celebrate with other family members. Our mother honored her vows to our father “through sickness and health” until his passing on September 6, 2017.

After relocating to Indianapolis, our mother became an active member at College Avenue Baptist Church (now Oasis of Hope) where she served for over 60 years. She poured her life into the body of Christ by faithfully serving in the Kitchen and Usher Ministries. When you walked through the doors at Oasis of Hope, she always greeted you with a warm smile.

Our mother had a very loving and nurturing spirit. She had a huge heart and was always there for loved ones. She impacted many people with her infectious smile, willingness to help, providing Godly wisdom, and unconditional love. She never met a stranger, and this love made her a “mom” to many. She was an excellent cook and everyone loved her cooking. Her love was poured into each dish she prepared. Our home was always full of guests who would stop by for a plate and receive our mom’s love. Although she struggled with her rheumatoid arthritis at times, she never let that get her down. She kept her favorite scripture in her spirit, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1,2 KJV. Her favorite song remained on her heart at all times “When I look around and I think things over. All of my GOOD days outweigh my BAD days. Thank you, Lord. I won’t complain.”

On Good Friday, April 18, 2025, our beloved mother, Mrs. Veachel Mae Hendrickson, closed her eyes at her earthly home and awakened them to the presence of our Lord in her Heavenly home. Our mother was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph E. Hendrickson, parents, brothers William B. and Hermon C. Yates, and sisters Orene Waller, Arneva Hendrickson, and Anna Pearline Mason

She leaves to cherish her memories: her 3 daughters, Brenda D. Edwards, Linda J. Hendrickson, and Jennifer (Delven) Barfield; 3 grandchildren, Ashley (Markus) Graves, Michael Edwards, and Kayla Barfield; 1 great-grandchild, Alayna Graves; sisters, Naomi Mills of Greensburg, Kentucky and Carnella Emmerline (Bernard) Hardin of Louisville, Kentucky; sisters-in-love, Mattie Hardin, Ada (Joseph) Duncan, Emma Jane Hendrickson, Sarah Jackson, Naomi Embry, Eva Yates; brothers-in-love, Walter (Sandra) Hendrickson and John R. Hendrickson; Devoted sister- friend, Virginia Stewart; God-daughters Sharon (Harold) Jiles, J. Deneise Oliver-Dumas (Albert), Francine (Edward) Morris, Robin Henry, Trand (Vincent) Robinson, and Victoria Clark Thomas.

A special thank you to Nicole Johnson, Mai Joyce Turner, Kim Mitchell, Mary Braxton, and Qadriyyah “Queenie” Hutcherson (posthumously 1978-2021) for the professional care and love given at home to our mother.