Addie M.W. Henderson

Mrs. Addie Mae Williams Henderson, 87, of 419 Elm St., Waverly, and recently residing at 3100 Loganwood Drive, South Chesterfield, departed this life on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, at Southside Regional Medical Center.

A native of Waverly, she was born on Feb. 17, 1926, to the late Charlie and Florence Williams and was the widow of William "Press" P. Henderson Sr. She was preceded in death by: her son, William "Billy" P. Henderson Jr.; one sister, Louis B. Eley; four brothers, Charlie, Paul, Jesse, George; and a nephew, Calvin Parham Sr.

At age 12, Mrs. Henderson was baptized at First Baptist Church, Waverly, and served in many capacities in her church. She was a charter member of the first youth choir, former member of the senior choir, president of Queen Ester Missionary Circle, former chairperson of the program committee and a former Sunday school teacher.

Mrs. Henderson was educated in Sussex County, graduating from Sussex County Training School in 1945. She continued her education and enrolled in Fayetteville State College, Fayetteville, N.C., graduating in 1949 with a degree in elementary education.

Her teaching career began with Fairfax County public schools, Fairfax, and she later became employed by Surry County public schools, Surry. After working for Sussex County public schools, Sussex, she retired with 38 years of service, June 1998.

Her professional, political and social affiliations include: Sussex Education Association, Virginia Retired Teachers Association-Sussex Unit, NEA, VEA, Sussex County Social Services, past member of Horizon Health Services Board and Waverly Volunteer Rescue Squad, Past Worthy Matron, Naomi Chapter #123 Order of Eastern Star PHA, past Deputy Organizer 18th District Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star PHA, Past Grand Worthy Matron, Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star PHA, and member of Past Matrons' and Past Patrons' Council, Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star PHA.

Upon Mrs. Henderson's declining health, she joined her devoted daughter, Robin, loving son-in-law, John and her sweet attentive granddaughter, Addison Caldwell in South Chesterfield, where she received tender loving care.

She also leaves to cherish her memory: two sisters, Burnadine W. Taylor of Silver Spring, Md. and Alice W. Jones of Waverly; three sisters-in-law, Ida Williams of Eastville, Gertie Williams and Frances H. Lundy, both of Petersburg; two brothers-in-law, John W. Taylor of Silver Spring, Md. and Bernard J. Lundy Sr. of Petersburg; five nieces and five nephews, Linda W. Smith of Petersburg, Yvonne Williams of Waverly, Patricia Taylor of Silver Spring, Md., Jesse Williams Jr. (Carol) of Los Angeles, Thomas Jones Jr. (Greta) of Waverly, Michael Jones (Valencia) of Detroit, Mich., Sharon W. Barber of Richmond, Karl Jones (Nia) of Richmond, Bernard J. Lundy Jr. (Catherine) of Petersburg and Pamela Lundy of South Chesterfield; a host of great-nieces; great-nephews; cousins; other relatives; and friends, among them, devoted cousins, Bertha Mason Smith of Petersburg, Aubrey and Johnnye Hill of Durham, N.C., also the Henderson, Weaver and Bradley families; special friends, Carleen Bowen of Portsmouth, Athylane Winfield of Virginia Beach and Mary Patterson of Lynchburg, also the Caldwell family; dependable neighbors who were always available with a helping hand whenever needed, Tyrone and Robin Augcomfar and Carlee Parham, all of Waverly; other relatives and many friends.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, from 6 to 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Waverly.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, from First Baptist Church, Waverly, the Rev. Dr. Rebecca Branch-Griffin, pastor of Oak Street AME Zion Church, Petersburg, will officiate, and the Rev. Denise Avent of Rising Star Baptist Church, Emporia, will eulogize. Interment will follow in the First Baptist Church Cemetery, Waverly.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the staff of William N. Bland & Son Funeral Home, Petersburg. For more information, or to leave an online condolence, visit us at blandenterprisesinc.com.