Mary Gaynell Godsey Henderson, age 77, of Haleyville, formerly of Double Springs, entered into rest on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.
Mary was born on July 12, 1935, in Double Springs, Alabama. She was a member of Fairview Missionary Baptist Church in early married life and Houston Church of God in later years. Mrs. Henderson was a Sunday School Teacher at Fairview Missionary Baptist Church in Double Springs. She attended Winston County High School and was a resident of Double Springs for 70 years. Before Mary retired in 1992 she had two restaurants, a clothing store and worked as a home health aide for DHR. She was a member of the Ladies Church Ministry at Houston Church of God. Mary enjoyed cooking, gardening, reading her Bible, and making jewelry. Her shining quality was love and devotion to her family. She loved each one in her own special way.
Mary spent much of her young life caring for family members who were ill. She was a good wife, mother, daughter, sister and daughter-in-law, who was always willing to help out whenever needed. Mary had suffered long with her own illness that took her life. Her wish was to enter into rest at home surrounded by her loving family.
The family pay loving tribute to Mary for the sacrifices she made for them, bringing them up in a loving home, and her tireless devotion to her husband Willard, whom she loved so much. On May 19, 2013 Mary and Willard celebrated their 62nd anniversary.
Visitation will be on Monday, June 3, 2013 from 6-9 p.m. at Nichols Funeral Home in Double Springs. Services will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Fairview Missionary Baptist Church in Double Springs. Pastor Keith Banks and Pastor Morris Helton will officiate. Burial will follow in adjoining cemetery.
Mary is survived by her loving husband Willard Henderson; daughters, Nancy Ann (David) Tice of Memphis, Tenn., Tammie Overton (Wayne) Wilkinson of Haleyville, Ala.; and sister, Avanell Young of Cibolo, Texas. She was “Nanny and Maw-Maw Mary” to 3 grandchildren, Angela Simpson Ellis of Memphis, Tenn., Latica Marie Overton of Tuscumbia, Ala., Krystal Eugenia Overton of Haleyville, Ala.; and 4 great grandchildren, Jesse Glen Overton, Tamera Ann Shack, Tamya LaShaun Shack and Isabella Cameron Ellis; Also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents William Clyde Godsey and Ola Clark Godsey and brother Homer Godsey.
“Let the Angels in Heaven sing, for they have gained one more, for Mary is now with our Lord, where she longed to be.”
