Troy H. Henderson, 82, died Sunday, November 20, 2016 in Jackson, Mississippi after a brief illness.

Visitation will be held on Monday from 4-6pm at Raymond Baptist Church. Rev. Tommy Jarrett will officiate. Wright and Ferguson will be in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Henderson was born March 22, 1934 as one of eleven children born to Arrie Hawkins Henderson and James Monroe Henderson. Troy was raised in Forest, Mississippi and learned early the value of hard work, delivering groceries on his bicycle to customers of his father's grocery store and at the age of fifteen coping with the death of his father. A gifted athlete and student, he was a four year letterman at Forest High School in football, basketball and track. He played in the first Mississippi High School All-Star game in August 1952. He was a two letterman in football at East Central Community College and in 1994, was inducted into the ECCC Athletic Hall of Fame. While serving in U.S. Air Force, he was an outstanding member of the Maxell Base football team. A little fact is he was recruited by the Cleveland Browns at that time but opted to continue his education. Upon discharge from the Air Force, he attended Louisiana College where he continued to play football and received his bachelor's degree while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. He obtained further education from the University of Alabama and the University of Southern Mississippi.

Serving as a coach, teacher and administrator in schools across Alabama and Mississippi, Troy received numerous honors. While at Liberty Attendance Center, he was, at that time, the youngest principal in the Mississippi Public School system. After being named Superintendent of West Jasper Schools, he was selected president of the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents. In 1979, Mr. Henderson was chosen Vice President of the Physical Plant and Auxiliary Services at Hinds Community College in Raymond where he served until his retirement in the late 1990's. He was awarded the college's highest employee honor, the 3E Award, and was a founding member of the Mississippi Association of School Plant Managers and served as its president for several years.

Troy loved his Lord and his church. He was a faithful member of Raymond Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and served as deacon chair. Troy was a people person, who loved to entertain, hosting many friends, organizations and family groups at their lake house. For 24 years, he hosted the annual Trace Circle 4th of July festivities which was a crowd favorite.

Family was his pride and joy. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Delores Underwood, for sixty-one years. Gathering his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren at home for Christmas, wonderful summer vacation trips or a Christmas cruise was Poppie's favorite gesture of love.

Mr. Henderson was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: R.G., Howell, Ray, and Guy Henderson; sisters: Ruby Viverette, Myrine Turman, and Mary Ellen Henderson.

He is survived by his wife, Delores Henderson; three children: Pam Reeves, Judy Bufkin (David), and Leigh James; six grandchildren: Anna Singer (Eric), Abby Griesedieck (John David), Michael Bufkin (Emily), Merrilee Bufkin, Bailey James and Jill James; three precious great grandsons: Sam and Jack Singer, and Oliver Griesedieck; brothers: Bobby and Roy Lee Henderson and sister: Joanna Wolf and a host of relatives and friends who loved him and will miss this special man!

The service will be Tuesday at 11:07am at Raymond Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to Hinds Community College or Raymond Baptist Church