Van Alstyne, Texas -- Crystal Kay Henson, of Van Alstyne, Texas, was born in Odessa, Texas, on June 24, 1960, and passed away at her residence on Oct. 5, 2014.

Crystal was the daughter of Mary Jane Farmer of Van Alstyne and of Joe Thomas and Judy Kay Farmer of Allen, Texas.  She graduated from Allen High School in 1978 and attended Tyler Junior College, where she was member of the acclaimed Tyler Apache Belles drill team.  Later, she returned to college and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Amberton University on May 17, 2002.

On March 17, 1990, Crystal married the love of her life, David Woodrow Henson. Together, they had four children, David Michael Kirkland, who preceded her in death; Amanda Kay Henson French of Fayetteville, Ark; Taylor Mischelle Henson, now of Dallas; and Chandler Paige Henson, now of Belton, Texas. Crystal was also the loving older sister to four siblings: Roger Thomas Farmer of McKinney, Texas; Marilyn Jean Farmer Weiss of Austin; Nena Jane Farmer Sconyers of Oak Point, Texas ; and Joe Ryan Farmer of Denton, Texas. Grandparents were James William and Gwendolyn Jerral Stagner Farmer of Edom, Texas; Bush Norris Ewing of San Marcos, Texas; and Mary Elois Woods Ewing Scott of San Marcos and Midland, Texas; Bud and Betty Steineger, of Richardson. All preceded her in death. Surviving are children, Taylor Mischelle Henson, Chandler Paige Henson, and Amanda Kay French; two grandchildren;, Makayla and Mason French her parents; her brothers and sisters; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Together, Crystal and David raised their children with Christian values and a love of their Lord, Jesus Christ, and to pursue their individual lifetime dreams. She took great pride and joy in her two grandchildren.  She was a constant supporter of Taylor’s and Chandler’s athletic endeavors and college accomplishments.  Together, she and David were at nearly all of their daughters’ respective games. One of Chandler’s softball team members said, “When you are in sports you meet a lot of teammates.  And if you are really lucky, you meet a lot of parents who treat you like they are you are their own. Crystal Henson was one of those parents. Heaven’s softball team just got one heck of a team mom.”

Crystal began working in the Human Resources division of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas on  Sept. 15, 1986. She worked her way up to the position of Lead Technical Consultant.  In 2013, Blue Cross Blue Shield honored Crystal with the HR Gold Star Individual Award, given for “leadership performance that stands above the others and for delivering excellent results.”

Because Crystal and her family were long-time service volunteers in church mission activities, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Tom Bean UMC Missions, PO Box 77, Tom Bean TX 75489.

Funeral services are under the care of Scoggins Funeral Home of Van Alstyne. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, and funeral services at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the First United Methodist Church of Van Alstyne, officiated by the Rev. Donny Haywood with the Rev. Ed Lantz assisting.  Interment will be at the Van Alstyne Cemetery. You may sign the online guest book at www.scogginsfuneralhome.com