Jessie Mae McHenry-Lazenby's Obituary
The journey of “Not Just Preaching It, But Living It” began on January 25, 1949, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Freeman and Dorothy Howard-Jones. As their Third Flower, they named her Jessie Mae Jones (known to family and friends as) “Saundra Carol”.
Dr. Lazenby grew up and attended John Burroughs Elementary School, George Washington Carver Middle School, and Graduating from Booker T Washington High School in 1967. In September 1967 Dr. Lazenby married her high school sweetheart Dwight, to this union two butterflies were born Kevin D. McHenry and Ebony L. McHenry.
In 1989, on a mission to obtain her Registered Nursing degree making daily drives to Rogers State College in Claremore, Oklahoma yet still working the graveyard shift as a Full-Time Surgical Technician in the open-heart surgery department (she has always had heart for people). Rendering 50 years of service in the medical field, not to mention maintaining a 4.0 grade average, and recipient of the Presidential Deans Honor roll. She began putting her skills to work for the first time, multiple mission trips to Mexico and Jamaica to name a few. All while being our mother.
Dr. Lazenby was baptized and accepted Christ at an early age and became a faithful servant of the Lord. She began her spiritual journey with District Elder Black attending Grace Apostolic Temple Assembly of the World (Tulsa, OK). Dr. Lazenby loved God. In 1987, the late District Elder Black allowed five families to accompany Bishop Ronald L. Young in Okmulgee, OK to help birth Mt. Calvary Temple. Our family was one of the families.
Dr. Lazenby joined Redeeming Faith Ministry Church in 1998 under the Leadership of the late Dr. Earnest Lewis III, working diligently in the ministry as Evangelist, Missionary, and Chief Operations Officer. All while being our mother. Dr. Lewis and Dr. Lazenby built an unbreakable bond until his passing. (March 2005).
April 2005, Dr. Lazenby founded Divine Inheritance Ministry in Tulsa, OK. Their mission was to equip Gods’ People with The Word to build His Kingdom. Dr. Lazenby retired from pastoring in 2022. She became an active member of Going Hard for Christ Church (GHFCC) worshipping and “Going Hard for Christ” with her son and daughter, Kevin & Sharri, under the leadership of Pastor Lawrence D. Peoples who affectionately referred to her as “momma”.
Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get an Understanding.
Dr. Lazenby received her Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral Degrees in Bible Studies and Theology, becoming Dr. Jessie M. McHenry-Lazenby. All while pastoring, serving as P.A.W District Elder, and being our mother.
March 15th, our Matriarch entered eternal rest. Oz Lazenby Jr., the love of her life, met her at The Gates. Grandparents. Parents Freeman Jones and Dorothy Taylor. Brothers Stanley Jones and Paajoe Offeigbu. Sisters Carolyn Jones, Tanara Howard, and Mrytle Howard. Niece Carmen Jones. All proceeded her in death.
Love, Christian Values, Peace, and Grace was left to her butterflies Kevin and Sharri (Mrs. Lady). Ebony “Her Girl”, who she taught to be a Woman of God and “to take care of business”. She left the blueprint for Kingdom Living to her grandchildren: Terrell Jr., Sequoyah, Kevin Jr., Kourtney, Kourtland, Larry, Kierra and Yasmyn. 18 Great Grand Children. Sibling Alma (Sidney), Jacqueline, Larry, Jaretta and Denorvice (Glenda). Sister-in-love Loretta Harlin, Aunt Henryetta Walston.
A host of Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, Friends, Spiritual Leaders, The Divine Inheritance Family and the “Golden Girlz” Sharon, Ann & Faye.
What’s your fondest memory of Jessie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jessie?
Share a story where Jessie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jessie you’ll never forget.
How did Jessie make you smile?
