Thomas Ray Henderson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Thomas Ray Henderson, of Laurel, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, at his home. He was 87 years old. A visitation will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Highland Baptist Church in Laurel. A funeral service will follow at the church, with burial to occur immediately afterward in Hickory Grove Cemetery. The men’s Sunday school class will serve as pallbearers. A Jones County native, Mr. Henderson was born Oct. 5, 1934, the oldest child of Ray and Pearl Henderson. He grew up attending West Laurel Baptist Church. After graduating from George S. Gardiner High School in 1952, he enrolled at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, hitchhiking back and forth to classes from his home in Laurel. He eventually went to Mississippi State University, where he earned a degree in accounting. At some point during those years of schooling, Mr. Henderson met his sister’s boyfriend’s sister. Her name was Mildred Blackwell, of Laurel. They married on Oct. 1, 1955, and reached Biloxi, to honeymoon, via a borrowed car. It was a union that lasted more than 66 years. In 1958, Mr. Henderson graduated from MSU. His first job was with U.S. Steel in Birmingham, where he worked in an office filled, he always lamented, with University of Alabama graduates. In 1965, the corporation moved him to its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While there, the Hendersons—faithful Christians all of their lives—helped one of that city’s first Baptist churches open its doors. Soon, though, the climate just proved too cold for the Southerners, and they moved their growing family home. In 1968, Mr. Henderson began work as a CPA in downtown Laurel. His family attended Wildwood Baptist Church and later, after moving to north Laurel, they attended Highland Baptist Church. In addition to devoted service to his church, where he served as a longtime deacon and taught Sunday school classes, he was a member of the Laurel Optimist Club and the Mississippi National Guard. He always supported Dixie Boys baseball. More than anything, Mr. Henderson enjoyed spending time with his family, especially with everyone gathered around a dinner table. He enjoyed all food but had, in particular, something of a sweet tooth, leading one of his family members to remark: “Banana pudding is being served in Heaven tonight.” They added: “Pecan pie, too.” In addition to his parents, Mr. Henderson was preceded in death by a brother, Freddie Henderson. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mildred B. Henderson; one sister, Anna H. Landrum; four children, T.J. (Bud) Browning, Charlene Henderson, Delene (Ricky) Adams, and Allen Henderson; four grandchildren, Richard (Danielle) Adams, Bryan (Heather) Adams, William (Joy) Browning, and Ann (Josh) Manning; and eight great-grandchildren (Avery, Isabella, Archer, Carter, Amelia, Allie, Miles and Luca). To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Thomas Ray Henderson

October 5, 1934 - January 26, 2022