FAYETTEVILLE — Henrietta Holcomb’s life revolved around generations.
Holcomb, a longtime educator in Springdale and Fayetteville, died Wednesday at 91.
By both birth and marriage, Holcomb traced roots back to several pioneering families of Northwest Arkansas. A 1938 graduate of Springdale High School, she completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Arkansas before moving to the Washington area to work for the federal government.
It was there she married Herbert Holcomb, a fellow Springdale native. They returned to Northwest Arkansas, where Holcomb earned her master’s degree at the university and had three children.
But she wasn’t finished working. Born on Emma Avenue, just across from the old Washington School, Holcomb started a new career in education.
In 34 years, she ascended from a teaching position through administrative posts, retiring as an assistant superintendent in Fayetteville in 1986.
She was instrumental in conceiving, funding and implementing kindergarten as part of Fayetteville schools in the 1970s and 1980s, said Alan Wilborn, district spokesman.
She remained an advocate for teachers after her retirement.
Larry Driver, former gifted and talented teacher in the Fayetteville School District, said he was hired by Holcomb in 1985 when she was assistant superintendent.
“She was authentic, kind and capable,” he said Thursday morning. “She was also outspoken but very supportive of teachers.”
In 1995, a new elementary school in Fayetteville was named after her.
After retirement, Holcomb focused her efforts on genealogy, particularly that of her ancestors and those of her husband. She helped Herbert, who died in 2003, compile a book about the Holcomb family history, and her research into her maternal grandparents’ origins is now a permanent exhibit at the Shiloh Museum in Springdale.
Holcomb was recognized by a variety of local, state and national groups for both historical and educational achievements throughout her lifetime. She was inducted into the Fayetteville schools Hall of Honor in 2006, and selected as a distinguished citizen of Washington County by the county historical society in 2008.
Rose Ann Pearce contributed to this report.