Michael Edward 'Mike' Henderson

Michael Edward (Mike) Henderson of Rocky Face, Georgia, passed into glory peacefully on Thursday, October 9, 2025 surrounded by his loving and heartbroken family.

Born in 1947, Mike began and ended his life in the same house in Westside that his father built in 1946 after returning from the Pacific War. He was the son of the late June Edward and Dartha Henderson of Rocky Face and the grandson of Henry Grady and Dora May Henderson of Rocky Face and Eli and Emma Baker of Tunnel Hill, Georgia.

After graduating from Dalton High School in 1965, Mike went on to serve his country in the United States Navy during the 1960s. His favorite topic of conversation was his fond remembrances of those days as a sailor aboard the USS Jonas Ingram. He spoke often of his adventures at sea, always with a twinkle in his eye and a story ready to tell.

Mike was known for his quick wit and humor. Beneath the gruff and sarcastic exterior was a kind and gentle man, full of love for his friends and family. He was also an avid woodworker for many years and spent countless hours in his workshop creating things with his hands — a hobby that brought him both joy and peace. His beloved granddaughter Emma affectionately referred to him as her “emotional support animal” — her words, not his — a title he wore with pride. His grandson Henry will always remember learning (beginning as a toddler) to drive the Kawasaki mule up and down the runway at “Westside International Airport” under his grandfather’s patient instruction.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty; daughter Valerie Henderson Silva; son-in-law Edward Silva; grandson Edward Henry Silva; and granddaughter Emma June Silva. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Marcelle and Bruce English of Jacksonville, FL; brother and sister-in-law, Eddie and Tracy Jennings, and their sons, John Jennings and Michael Jennings, all of Dripping Springs, TX; as well as many cousins and dear friends who will miss him greatly.

His family is thankful that his passing came quickly and that he did not experience the prolonged suffering he had feared and are thankful for the kindness and care shown to him by the nurses in the MICU at Hamilton Medical Center.

The family will receive friends at Grace Presbyterian Church on Sunday, October 12, at 3:00 p.m., with the funeral service following at 4:00 p.m. Burial will be in West Hill Cemetery. For those unable to attend in-person, the service will be live streamed (click here to watch livestream).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Presbyterian Church or Grace Medical Outreach, a charitable 501(c)(3) organization that provides medical, physical, and spiritual care for homebound and indigent patients in Dalton and the surrounding area. The address for both ministries is 2107 Threadmill Road, Dalton, GA 30720.

Condolences and messages of sympathy may be expressed for Mike’s family through Love Funeral Home’s online guest book.