On November 30, 1972, Michelle Annette Henderson was born to the late JoAnn Henderson & Frank Gilbreath. Michelle grew up in Sherman, TX and in Corpus Christi, TX in a loving household with her mother and 3 siblings. Michelle received her nickname "Turtle" from raising her head up slowly when she was a baby. Michelle loved music and could cut a rug or two with lightweight footwork. She also loved spending time with her favorite pet, Puss the cat. She always took care of her loved ones and was so thoughtful and kind, always wanting everyone to be okay. She was sure to make you smile if you were in her presence. Even though she was the baby sister, and she was: "The Boss" as JoAnn's Baby, she still thought she was the boss of her mother as well - that was the kind of nurturing person she was.

Later in Life, Michelle worked at HEB as a store manager which greatly fulfilled her. She would rave about her team and about them being the best coworkers and friends. She valued her career and enjoyed her time with the company.

In 2017 Michelle suffered a stroke and several mini strokes followed over time, which lead the doctors to discover a cancerous tumor. Michelle fought long, hard, and kept her faith throughout her battle with her health. During her fight, she discovered her love for Jesus was the only thing that mattered and dreamt of being able to see her mother again. She rededicated her life to Christ and would pray to her Papa God without ceasing. She would say, "I'm not mad at my Papa God, I Love Him and I am doing the best I can."

Michelle loved her family so much and adored her friends. She might be clowning, dancing or even laughing, bossing you around, but she was having a good time and she made sure everyone else was as well. She will always be our "Turtle" and we are left with so many precious memories.

On the evening of July 26, 2021, she heard the voice of Jesus say, "Come unto Me and Rest; Lay down weary one, Lay down thou head upon my breast."

She is proceeded in death by: Her Mother JoAnn Henderson & Frank Gilbreath, Grandmother Lela Pilot, Special Father Charles "Chuck" Williams, and Best Friend Teneasha Cheatham.

Left to cherish her memories are:

Her Partner - Mitrell Thomas of Corpus Christi, TX

Son - Se'vawn Thomas (The Kid) of Corpus Christi, TX.

Mother - Retrinda Thomas of Stratford, CT.

Her siblings - Carl Cardell Greer of Corpus Christi, Tunja Renee Dodd (Charles Donald Dodd) of Davis, OK, and Demetra Allen (Leon Allen Jr) of Ardmore, OK. Sister Angela Moss of Corpus Christi. TX.

Her nieces - Tyesha Nicole Franklin (Torry Franklin) and Shaniqua Love Iesha West of Arlington, TX.

Great nephew and niece - Isaiah Ramone Nixon and Trinity Nevaeh Franklin of Arlington, TX.

Her Auntie - Joyce Elaine Hayes (Elder Willie Hayes) of Leesville, LA.

Cousins - Dennis Pulliam, Tandra Denise Johnson (Ricky Johnson), Adrian Hayes of Leesville, LA, and Andre & Cindy Hayes of Melbourne, FL.

2nd Cousins - Sharonda Hillman of Atlanta, GA and Toranda Pulliam-Paige of Leesville, LA.

Godchildren: J'Dyn Cheatham, Jonai Cirilo, Raekwonn Nedd, De'Ontrel Greenwood, and De'Onica Greenwood of Corpus Christi, TX.

Best friends and extended family - Shay Porter of Houston, TX, Sergio Santos, Michael Jackson, Her "Ace" Melanie Cheatham, and Eboni Johnson of Corpus Christi, TX.

Longtime family friends - Francis Martin Pettis and Eric West (Alice Manyeki West) of Corpus Christi, TX…and a host of cousins and friends.

Favorite Scripture:

For God has not given us the Spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  2Timothy 1:7 (KJV)