Drusilla A. Henry

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Drusilla (Drue) A. Henry, 79, diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma in July 2023 at the James Cancer Center in Columbus, Ohio, moved forward to her heavenly home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 21, 2024. Grieving her loss are her husband Dr. Michael E. Henry and sons David A. and Matthew M. Henry.

Academically, Drue was the first recipient in Clark County awarded the National Merit Scholarship scoring in the top 1% of all US students who had taken the test allowing her the distinct privilege to choose from the most admired universities in the United States. Rather than choosing Harvard, Yale, or Princeton, she chose to take her scholarship to Anderson University for her BA and the University of Dayton studying reading/LA curriculums for her master’s degree. She was a voracious reader with the ability to read many books daily, recalling explicit detail content. Rejecting an invitation to enter a doctoral program at Ball State University, she remarked that God had given her “a calling” to be a teacher and a mother. Subsequently, she spent 40 years in Springfield CSS as a teacher and reading tutor specialist.

Moreover, she will be remembered as a selfless loving mother and a true friend to her colleagues. Remaining are her husband Dr. Michael E. and son David (Kelli) Henry of (Pendelton, Indiana) and her oldest son Matthew who preceded her in death in 2021 along with her brother Stephen Pencil in 2022. Also, remaining are her granddaughters Baylee Henry (Urbana), Dora Grace Henry Collins (Columbus), great-grandson Giffin, brother Daniel Pencil (South Charleston), Daniel’s children Sherri Waugh and Danny Jr., and nephew Issac Henry. A special thanks to Drue’s brother and sister-in-law, Fred E. and Mary Beth Henry of (Mechanicsburg, Ohio) and to the Pleasant Hill UCC that so graciously assisted during every moment of her illness. Historically, she is survived by the entire Pencil family of Springfield and North Hampton. 

Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.