SUNSET MEMORIAL PARK - UPSHUR COUNTY


Funeral services for Reverend J.C. Henderson, 95, of Gilmer will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 2, 2014, at Croley Funeral Home Chapel in Gilmer with Bro. Charles Johnson, Dr. Ray Thompson and Bro. Ray Tenpenny officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park in Gilmer. Rev. Henderson passed away Saturday, November 29, 2014.

Rev. Henderson was born October 16, 1919 in Pittsburg, to Ether Chaney and Myrtle Davis Henderson. He held a Master’s of Education Degree from Stephen F. Austin, was a retired Minister, public school and college teacher and a member of Glade Creek Baptist Church.

Rev. Henderson was a humble and blessed servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. He became a minister at the age of 17 and was ordained on November 1940 at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Ebenezer Community in Camp County. In addition, he pastored 13 different Baptist Churches; Oak Grove, Dukes Chapel, Pine Acres, Cherokee, Enon, Little Mound, Glade Creek, Judson, Afton Grove, Cross Roads, County Line Number 2, Coffeeville, Sand Hill and Antioch. Rev. Henderson was elected moderator of the Liberty Baptist Association 13 times, serving in that office longer than any other person in the association’s history. The highlight of his ministry was when he organized Cherokee Baptist Church in Gilmer.

He taught at eight schools and was principal at each one of them. They included Ore City, Sand Hill, Indian Rock, Gilmer, Union Hill, Jodie McClure (Longview), Mings Chapel and Union Grove. He also taught for two years at Jacksonville Baptist College.

He was known for the large gardens he grew every spring and fall and loved raising various varieties of chickens and his barn cats.

Rev. Henderson is survived by his son, Elwyn Henderson of Gilmer; daughter, Carlene Needham and husband Guy of Porter; sister, Mary Fowler of Pittsburg; grandchildren, Jennifer Hudnall and husband Damon of Diana, Tabitha Needham and Melody Needham both of Kingwood; great-grandchildren, Bailey Hudnall and Jackson Hudnall; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Verdine Henderson (died July 28, 2007); his parents; brothers, Bill Henderson, James Henderson and Dr. E. Harold Henderson; sisters, Lou Della Pilgrim and Pauline Rushing. 

Pallbearers will be Paul Henderson, Perry Henderson, Larry Coulter, Rex Youngblood, Billy Maddox and Jim Barton.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, December 1, 2014 at Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer.