Dr. Howard Hendley

On January 24, 2023, Howard H. Hendley of Hilton Head, SC was released from this mortal coil at the age of 69 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on July 25,1953, in Albany, Georgia, to Sara Alice Mainor Hendley and Jessie Herbert Hendley.
Howard grew up in Albany, Georgia, and graduated from Dougherty County High School (1971). He then attended Albany Junior College, where he would earn an Associates of Arts Degree (1973). It was during this time that he would meet the love of his life and future wife, Sharon.
Howard continued his collegiate education at the University of Georgia where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science (1975). He then went on to receive a Masters Degree in Social Studies Education (1979) from Georgia Southwestern State University and a Doctoral Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Georgia's Department of Educational Leadership (1983).
Howard served the public school system for nearly 30 years, and he served in many roles. He began his career in public education in 1977 as a teacher, assistant principal, and central office administrator for Sumter County Schools in Americus, Georgia. Howard served as Principal at Tri-County High School (1985-1989), Americus High School (1989-1995), and Dublin High School (1995-1997). He then became superintendent for the Jeff-Davis County (1997-2000) and Thomaston-Upson County (2000-2007) School Systems. After retiring as a public school educator and leader, Howard worked at the Georgia Department of Education serving as Education Administration Specialist (2007-2009) and Director of Policy for the Georgia Department of Education (2010-2017). He also served as an adjunct professor for Georgia Southwestern State University and Columbus State University.
His expertise was evident from the accomplishments of schools under his leadership. While superintendent for the Jeff Davis County School System, Jeff Davis High School was named a Georgia School of Excellence (1999). During his time as principal, Dublin High School (1996) and Americus High School (1992, 1994) were both named a Georgia School of Excellence. Howard was named the Most Outstanding Secondary School Principal in Georgia in 1992 and had the opportunity to represent the State of Georgia at a National Principal's Convention. In 1995, Howard received The Outstanding Member Award from the Professional Association of Educators, District 3. He was also named Distinguished Alumnus by the Educational Leadership Department of the University of Georgia in 2001.
His community involvement included participating on the Board of Control for the Upson County Health Department and serving as director of the Thomaston-Upson County Chamber of Commerce.
During his downtime, Howard took pleasure in camping, boating, and fishing. He had fun watching all types of sporting events - especially UGA football. He also enjoyed traveling, and was able to journey across the US and abroad. But most of all he loved his family, and being with them. He was a member of St. Andrew By-The-Sea United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sharon Hendley, his children: Elizabeth Ott (Ryan Ott) and Holden Hendley (Jessica Hendley), his siblings: Chris Hendley (Ragan Pollack) and Linda Bradshaw (Steve Bradshaw), and his grandchildren Colleen, Cassidy, and Emily Ott.
Memorial Services will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Coggins Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at Coggins Funeral Home on Friday, January 27, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. A burial will follow at Six Oaks Cemetery in Hilton Head Island, SC on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Samaritan's Purse.
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