In a span of nine days our community lost two educational icons and I also lost two dear friends in Jill LeCompte and Becky Henningson. 

The passing of Jill and Becky showed how fast life can change and how two people can positively impact the lives of thousands of people. When you hear that someone impacted thousands of lives, the normal assumption is that they were on the national or world stage. But, neither Jill nor Becky were state or national leaders. They were Cassville educators, educational leaders, trailblazers, and simply wonderful people who cared about others. 

I had the pleasure of serving with Becky and Jill on the Cassville Board of Education. Both brought perspectives that were so important to that role. They were Cassville graduates and had taught in the classrooms on our campus. They were looked up to and were seen as role models by many young women who desired to create their own path for success in this world. 

As board members, many times they brought a voice and perspective that could not have been seen by a group of guys. That’s why their legacy will be well served by having a similar voice and perspective continue in their school leadership capacity. 

Their genuine nature and outlook on life helped shape so many young men and women. Over the years the number of people they impacted grew and grew to the point that they became synonymous with educational leadership and impact.

Becky was a pioneer for girls sports at Cassville. She coached the first girls basketball and volleyball teams. Becky’s 1979 basketball squad won the first championship for a girls team at CHS. She was also a mentor for countless young women. 

Becky cared deeply about our community and school. She served 15 years on the Cassville Board of Education. Becky’s common sense decision making was a blessing. She truly cared about the future of the students in our school. 

Becky was also a wonderful friend. She knew how to make me laugh and was there for me when times weren’t going so well in life. When I lost my dear friend, Michael LeCompte, Becky would check in on me almost every day. She would fill me in with the latest scuttlebutt around town and her calls would lift my spirits. 

Simply put, Becky cared.

Jill LeCompte was a lifelong friend. I can’t remember not knowing Jill. We played trombone together in band and then she started dating and eventually married my dear friend, Michael LeCompte. Needless to say, Jill has always held a special place in my heart.

Jill was a natural educator. It was in her blood. She was a Holman, and the Holman family has produced some of Barry County’s finest educators. She then moved to educational leadership serving in principal positions and ultimately as assistant superintendent. Jill was also a born leader. 

I used to tell Jill that when she was doing a presentation for the school board or other organizations she sounded just like her Aunt Eunice Thomas. I meant that as the ultimate compliment because I idolized Eunice Thomas when I was growing up in Cassville Elementary School. 

As you can imagine, Jill was also a natural for the Cassville Board of Education, on which she served since 2022. Jill cared deeply about the educational outcomes for all students and especially for at risk students. 

Jill was a wonderful friend, and it was always so much fun being with her. Over the past couple of years, she became a wonderful and irreplaceable travel companion for Darla and myself. Whether it was a beach in Santa Rosa, Fla., an education conference or a girls trip to Kansas City, Jill made the trip so much fun. 

Darla and I will always remember and treasure Jill being a part of the wedding last July of our daughter and son in law, Madison and Antwan. As she read the poem, “Marry Your Best Friend,” I sensed that she was speaking directly to someone who was not there in person, but was there in spirit, Michael LeCompte. Jill was simply Jill at that moment.

As a writer, I’ve come to the conclusion that our lives are in many ways very similar to books. Every year is a chapter. Becky and Jill respectively had 79 and 60 chapters that were so impactful. While I desperately wished we could have shared many more chapters with Becky and Jill, I am truly thankful for the wonderful pages we did get to share together. 

Love ya, Jill and Becky! Till we meet again.

Jon Horner is a local community bank president, published author, newspaper columnist, motivational speaker, and mayor of America’s Real Hometown. He can be reached at [email protected].