Joe Henderson, Jr. passed from this life into eternal rest on August 6, 2018.
Funeral will be Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Parkway Funeral Home with Brother Jonathan Henderson, Lamar Henderson, Brandon Henderson and speaker Christopher Johnson officiating. Burial will be in East Lawrence Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Mr. Henderson was born on February 18, 1927 in Lawrence County to Rev. Joe W. Henderson and Julia Stewart Henderson. He was married to Madeen Shelton on June 4, 1949 and they were blessed with 62 years together, until her passing on August 6, 2011. Mr. Henderson was a graduate of Lawrence County High School, Class of 1947. He served in the Alabama Army National Guard, Battery D, 104th Anti-aircraft Division during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Mount Hope Baptist Church, where he could be found using his gifts and talents wherever there was a need. He was a lay teacher and taught, by divine inspiration, several books of the Bible, most notably the books of the Apostles and the book of Revelation. He served many years in other churches including Harmony Baptist and Orange Baptist. He was an electrician by trade and was a member of the IBEW Local Union 558 for well over 60 years. He was a particularly industrious man, even from his youth, tenacious in his farming and fixing, and faithfully following the Lord in all his endeavors. Mr. Henderson was a devout and steadfast Christian man, known for his willingness to help anyone in need. His nickname was “The Candy Man” as he was tireless in passing out candy and bubble gum to children and adults alike. Never having met a stranger, he was a blessing to all who were fortunate enough to have met him.
Survivors include sons, Lamar (Jean) Henderson, Phillip Henderson and Jonathan (Misty) Henderson and daughter, Melissa (Gary) Johnson. Grandchildren are Rachael (Steven) Franks, Lee (Catherine) Henderson, Lindsay (Jason) Holcombe, Brandon (Emili) Henderson, Justin Henderson, Lauren (Blake) Borden, Callie Henderson, Julia Henderson, Christopher Johnson, Emma Henderson and Lydia Henderson and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Naomi Jenkins. He was preceded in death by his sons, Major Barry K. Henderson and Anthony Keith Henderson; his parents; stepmother, Flora Henderson; brothers, William “Bill” Henderson and Gene Henderson; sisters, Estelle Lawrimore, Christine Smith and Faye Yarbrough.
Since Mr. Joe always said to give your flowers while you are living, the family requests that donations be made to the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home at AlabamaChild.org or the Gideons International at www.GideonsInternationals.org
