Kathrine Upchurch Henderson

Kathrine Upchurch Henderson

Kay Henderson, 94, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, October 12, 2010, while a resident of The Oaks at Mayview in Raleigh, North Carolina.

She was born in Durham, North Carolina, on September 3, 1916, to William Merrimon and Estelle Harward Upchurch.

Kay graduated from Duke University in 1937, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity and enjoyed many summers at Camp Junaluska in the mountains of western North Carolina as a camper and counselor where she became an accomplished archer.

Kay married Joseph V. Henderson Jr. on August 7, 1943, and enjoyed 63 years of marriage, until his death in 2004.

Kay and Joe were long- time members of White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh. She served as the President of the Presbyterian Women at White Memorial from 1980 until 1982 and received an Honorary Life Membership in 1983. When Joe retired from a long career with CP&L (Progress Energy) in 1979, they spent most of their time in Morehead City, North Carolina, where they were instrumental in the formation of Grace Presbyterian Church in Beaufort, North Carolina. She later served as an Elder for the church, as did her husband.

She had a great love of gardening and tremendously enjoyed her friends in the Coley Forest Garden Club.

She is survived by her brother, William Upchurch and wife, Beth, of Durham, North Carolina; her three sons and daughters-in-love, Joseph V. Henderson III and his wife, Carol, of Raleigh, North Carolina, Richard L. Henderson and his wife, Jane, of Raleigh, North Carolina, and William U. Henderson and his wife, Dana, of Charlottesville, Virginia; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Many will miss Kay's love of people, her constant smile, and her unwavering faith.

A private family interment is planned for Saturday, October 16, 2010, at White Memorial Presbyterian Chapel in Raleigh and a memorial service will be held at a later date at Grace Presbyterian Church in Beaufort, North Carolina.

Memorials may be made to Grace Presbyterian Church, 2101 U.S. Highway 70 East, Beaufort, NC 28516.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.