Vada Lou Fyfe Henderson, 91, died Sunday, April 26, leaving behind a legacy that spans decades of entrepreneurship, public service, and community leadership in Carter County and beyond.
Henderson was widely known for her role as co-owner and later sole operator of the Leslie A. Henderson Funeral Home, where she worked alongside her late husband, Leslie “Les” Henderson, throughout the 1970s and 1980s. After her husband’s passing in 1990, she continued operating the funeral home independently—a rare accomplishment at the time—before selling the business in 1994.
Her work in the funeral profession extended beyond daily operations. Henderson served as a Carter County Deputy Coroner during the 1980s and later made a bid for County Coroner. She also broke barriers as the first female president of the Eastern Kentucky Funeral Directors Association, helping pave the way for women entering the profession.
In addition to her work in funeral service, Henderson built a successful career in cosmetology. After earning her license from Morehead Beauty College in the 1960s, she opened and operated Personal Touch Beauty Salon, becoming known for her innovation and dedication to her craft. She traveled across the country for advanced training, studying specialized techniques in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico.
Her salon was among the first in the region to partner with Aveda, reflecting her forward-thinking approach to business and her commitment to staying ahead of industry trends.
Those who knew Henderson describe her as a visionary—someone who successfully balanced multiple business ventures at a time when women in leadership roles were far less common, particularly in rural Eastern Kentucky.
Beyond her professional life, she remained deeply connected to her community through civic and social organizations, including the Order of the Eastern Star and the Ladies Oriental Shrine.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 1, at 2:00 p.m. at Duvall and Moore Funeral Home in Olive Hill, with visitation scheduled for Thursday evening.
Henderson is remembered not only for the businesses she built, but for the paths she helped open—leaving a lasting mark on both the local economy and the generations who followed.