Imogene Hendricks 
October 14, 1932 - May 22, 2025

Imogene Hendricks died peacefully on May 22, 2025, at the age of 92. Born on October 14, 1932, in Viola, Arkansas, as Magurette Imogene Stone, she was the oldest of five children, daughter to Fredrick Imon Stone and Zetta Ann Preston.

Following family and work during the dust bowl era, her family moved to Westwood, in northern California. Imogene told stories from that time of living in a boxcar and having a ready-made refrigerator by opening the window to the boxcar and scooping snow away. Family friends encouraged a move to Eureka for available work and Eureka became her home.

Imogene loved children and worked at a daycare in her teenage years. She was president of her Senior high school class and graduated in 1951. She had dreams of becoming a teacher and attended Humboldt State University.

In 1951, she married Opie Hendricks, with whom she shared 69 years of marriage. Together, they built a thriving family business, Opie’s Fine Cars, that lasted over 50 years providing the community with the first opportunity to purchase cars in McKinleyville.

As a mother, Imogene was the epitome of love and support. Opie and Imogene had four children, Dennis Hendricks (spouse Kathi), Greg Hendricks (spouse Karen), Debra Littlefield (spouse Chris), Michelle Hendricks-Pollace (spouse Dan). Because of her welcoming nature and the calmness that resided around her, her home was a second home for her younger siblings and her children’s friends. She was a lover of animals and always had a dog. Since everyone in Imogene’s family shares the same love of animals, family occasions and the holidays always included many dogs. Imogene weathered the chaos of our furry friends with grace and patience. Having her family gathered together always made her smile.

Imogene enjoyed reading and loved to travel. She and her sister, Cathy, took a trip to Ireland in 2014, where they rented a car and explored the island together. Their stories of the adventure always ended in laughter as they confessed to returning their rental car with the side mirror hanging by a thread.

She was a member of Grace Good Shepard Church of McKinleyville and served as the church secretary for many years.

Imogene is survived by three of her children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, as well as her sister, Cathy Robinson, and her brother, Brent Stone. She is preceded in death by her husband, Opie Hendricks; her daughter, Michelle Hendricks-Pollace; her sister, Jo Lawson; and her brother, Sam Stone. She leaves behind a legacy characterized by unconditional love, strength, and kindness that will inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her.