Gene Henderson was born on a Sunday, May 26th in the year of 1929 to his parents in his beloved town of Big Pine, North Carolina. ‘Uncle Gene’ was a member of Big Pine Baptist Church and he was also a veteran of the U. S. Army where he drove a tank. Uncle Gene migrated to Michigan to find work after getting out of the military. The first day he arrived in Michigan, he landed a job at the Ford Motor Company plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan and had a perfect attendance work record for 39 years. Uncle Gene met a girl while in Michigan, Pauline Robbins, originally from Lawrenceburg, TN, and eventually married her. Uncle Gene loved to hunt, ride his motorcycle, and work. He moonlighted as a security guard in his off time. After retiring, Uncle Gene and Aunt Polly moved to Lawrenceburg in the early 1990’s. Anyone who visited with Uncle Gene was sure to be offered a cup of coffee and to hear a story about his days working at Ford, hunting, or growing up in his hometown of Big Pine, North Carolina. Uncle Gene was a gentle giant of a man with a very kind heart.
At the age 90 years and 78 days, Uncle Gene passed away on Monday, August 12, 2019 at NHC Scott Healthcare. Uncle Gene is preceded in death by his father and mother, Doyle and Tilda Worley Henderson and by his brothers Kelly, Albert, Cecil, Scott, Robert, and one sister Mamie. Uncle Gene is survived by one brother Don Henderson (Rose) of North Carolina; one step-son Myron Lester Newton of Michigan; one step-grandchild, Leigh Anne Newton; and one step great-grandchild, Catherine Marie Newton. Survivors also include caretakers Tommy Lee, Lesa, and Abigail Kidd. Uncle Gene has many nieces and nephews that he loved very much.
Arrangements are being handled by Neal Funeral Home, 231 N. Military Avenue, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at Neal Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at Neal Funeral Home at 11:00 AM Thursday, August 15, 2019, with Robin Kidd, Tommy Lee Kidd, and Abigail Kidd officiating. Interment will follow at Lawrence County Memorial Gardens in Lawrenceburg, TN with full military honors.
