Lisa Annette Valentine Henry was born on September 17, 1958.  She was the second of two children born to Aston Samuel Valentine and Mary Alice Taggert in New York, New York.  Her brother Michael Valentine, both parents and her husband, Darryl Henry (who was her college sweetheart) preceded her in death.

Upon her mother’s passing, Lisa moved to Chicago, Illinois and lived with her uncle James Williamson (Uncle Jimmy), her aunt Millicent (Aunt Millie) and her cousin, Amy. Lisa was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) when she was 15 years old.  She was an avid ice skater and dancer until the progression of the disease affected her physical ability to do so.

Lisa graduated from Chicago’s Cathedral High School in June of 1976. She attended Purdue University and graduated in May of 1980 with a Bachelor Degree in Speech and Hearing Science. While attending Purdue she met Lucretia Nicholson and Dietrich Langford.  Lucretia and Lisa met on the Purdue University Ice Rink while Lisa was performing sparrows and figure 8’s.

Upon graduating from Purdue, Lisa worked in Kokomo School Corporation in Kokomo, IN as a school speech pathologist for 2 years.  Shortly thereafter, she moved to Cleveland, Ohio where she was employed as a rehab counselor for the deaf at The State of Ohio’s Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation.  Lisa moved back to Lafayette, Indiana and was employed at The Agency on Aging \ Area 4 as a counselor. She moved into management and served in that capacity until she left due to illness. She was on the Area 4 Advisory Board from 12/2011 to 8/2018. While working at Area 4, Lisa was well respected in her vocational field by both colleagues and clients. There, Lisa met Janet Robinson and they became fast friends.  They shared a strong interest in the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright.  Their shared interest led to trips together to visit his historic homes.

Eventually, Lisa became roommates with Terri Boone, one of her best friends from college. They lived together for years and had a special bond. Other members of this BFF group, affectionately known as “The Golden Girls” were Diethric Langford, aka DeeDee, Lucretia Nicholson aka Cree, Sheila Duffy and Georgia Sanders. While Terri and Lisa were roommates Terri introduced Lisa to Sharon Coker.  When Terri moved to Chicago, Sharon and Lisa became roommates and Lisa became a part of Sharon’s family. This relationship continued until Lisa’s passing over 20 years later.

During the last 17 years of her life, Lisa experienced significant health issues due to RA, but her feisty personality remained.  She was affectionately called Lisa-Bear by her family, due to her love of Teddy and Boyds bears.  Lisa-Bear loved good food.  Luckily, her roommate, Sharon is an excellent cook and was able to work around her various dietary needs.

Lisa passed on October 31, 2023, and is sorely missed.  She leaves her cousin, Amy Williamson-Barton (Darren), niece, Arryn Barton, nephew, Renaud Buck, and her adopted families (The Nicholsons and Dickersons).  She became a sister to Lucretia, Marcy Jones (Kennedy), Cindy, Thomas Jr., Avis’, an aunt to Thomas III (“TJ”) and Kiyel.  Her Coker family consists of Sharon Coker; her daughter, Sharalyn Dickerson; and her children, Chauntelle Dickerson, Shomari Moore (deceased), Maya and Tiana Moore; Sharon’s son; Creighton Dickerson (Lori); his son, Creighton III; and daughter, Carysse Dickerson. As part of the family, Lisa helped in raising Chauntelle’s children, Zaiidlyn and Zaiiria Dickerson.

Lisa leaves a host of friends and sister-bears to remember her life.

Born—September 17, 1958

Final Rest—October 31, 2023