Obituary of Gene Clark Henderson

Warner Robins, GA; Mr. Gene Clark Henderson, 79, died October 1, 2009. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 4, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church in Warner Robins. Dr. Jimmy Asbel and the Rev. Deborah Wight-Knight will officiate. Mr. Henderson will lie in state at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home until service time on Sunday. Interment will follow at Magnolia Park Cemetery. Mr. Henderson was born in Collegeboro, Georgia Bulloch County, on August 9, 1930, the son of the late Zach Suddath and Marjorie Clark Henderson. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Laquita Burkett Henderson; two daughters, Joy Henderson Klaassen Dan of Anamosa, Iowa and Gena Henderson DeCelles David of Powder Springs, GA; six grandchildren; Zachary, Susan, and Andrew Douglas, Laura, Lindsay, and Taylor DeCelles; and one great-grandchild, Korbyn Douglas. He is also survived by two sisters, Mary Hobbs of Dublin, GA and Ann Williams of Largo, FL. Gene received a BS in Education from Georgia Teachers College in 1951, a Master’s Degree in Education from Mercer University in 1956, and advanced to the Sixth Year level of certification at Auburn University in 1964. A life long educator, Gene began his career at Screven County High School in 1951. He taught at Baker County High School before coming to Warner Robins High in 1954 where he taught government and history, and later industrial arts at Rumble Junior High School. Gene began a long career as an administrator in 1960, serving as principal of Watson Elementary School, Shirley Hills Elementary School, and Tucker Elementary. He also served as an administrator in adult education. He was a career-long member of many professional organizations including the Houston and Georgia Association of Educators, the National Education Association, and the Georgia and National Associations of Elementary Principals. Gene was an Eagle Scout, and served as a Merit Badge Counselor and scout leader for the Boy Scouts of America. An avid rose gardener, he was also interested in coin collecting, reading, and music. Gene and Laquita joined First United Methodist Church in 1954 where he served for many years as a Sunday school teacher, Youth Director, Chairman of the Building Committee, and Director of the Chancel Choir. He was a member of the Administrative Board, the Trustees, and the Pastor-Parrish Committee. He was a faithful member of the Winmore Sunday School class. Most of all, Gene was a child of God, and his life was a living example of that love. He was a loving husband, the best dad in the world, a tremendous granddad and great –granddaddy. He taught us, and many others, how to be better and stronger, how to love and be loved, gave us an appreciation for the wonders of life, and left us with many precious memories. Memorial gifts to Mr. Henderson’s memory may be made to the Houston Association of Retired Educators Scholarship Fund, C/O Brevard Hunt, 303 Bernard Drive, Warner Robins, Georgia, 31093 or to Heart of Georgia Hospice 103 Westridge Drive, Warner Robins, Georgia 31088. Heritage Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory are in charge of arrangements.