Mr. Johnnie Lee Henderson Sr.

HENDERSON, JOHNNIE LEE, Sr. Johnnie went to be with his Lord June 20, 2009. He was born in Quitman, Texas, October 4, 1924. He was preceded in death by his parents, W.C. Henderson and Elizabeth Gertrude Brummett Henderson, sister Aline Kirby, brothers Bill and Doyle Henderson. He is survived by one sister, Ruby Nell Newkirk. He married Evelyn Young, April 4, 1947. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, son Johnnie L. Henderson Jr. and wife Glenda, daughter Jayne Huffman and husband Bruce, three grandchildren Matthew and Wesley Henderson, and Jessica Dooley. He graduated from Winnsboro High School and East Texas State University (Texas A&M University Commerce) with B.S. and M.S. degrees. He served his country during W.W. II, 394th Infantry Regiment, and 99th Infantry Division. He survived the Battle of the Bulge, the crossing of the Rhine River, the Black Forest and the Remagen Bridge crossing. He was injured shortly after crossing the Remagen Bridge. Johnnie was a retired teacher, coach, and school administrator. He was employed at Avery ISD, Rylie, Royse City, Forney, Stephenville, Highland Park, and First Baptist Academy Dallas. After his second retirement, he served as Director of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. His service to education totaled more than 45 years. He served faithfully as a Deacon, Bible Study teacher, and Christian servant. He believed firmly in God first, family second, and country/community third. He was still serving in the Lions Club and the American Legion, Post 591 and as a deacon at First Baptist Church, Forney, Texas. During his career, he received many awards for his service, but he loved the opportunity to be a part of his students’ lives. His desire was to be a mentor and touch the lives of the many students he had the opportunity to teach. One of his earthly awards he enjoyed recently was having a school named after him and his wife, Henderson Elementary.