Richard Leroy (Roy) Henderson

Richard L. (Roy) Henderson, Sr., 94, of Thomasville, Georgia, peacefully joined his Savior, while sitting in his “easy chair” in the presence of his wife and son and soon joined by his daughter and local grandchildren, on Friday, June 15th at his Woodleaf Senior Care home. He anticipated his passing with the same dignity and confidence that he lived his life and conducted his business.
Roy was born in Sandersville, Georgia on October 14, 1923 to William and Myrtle (West) Henderson. After a long distance courtship by mail from the war in Europe, he married Rosemary Lee in Waycross, Georgia on July 16, 1945 while on leave before resuming his military duty in the liberation of the Philippines.
He was training for the war in the Pacific when the “Battle of the Bulge” changed his orders to the European Theater, where he served under General George Patton. He received a battlefield commission to the rank of First Lieutenant as a result of his leadership when the ranking officers of his unit were lost. He was referred by his fellow soldiers as “that Georgia Boy who knows what he’s doing.” The war ended after his unit had liberated many German internment camps and were only a few miles from Hitler’s location when Hitler committed suicide.
After returning to the States and marrying Rosemary, Lieutenant Henderson was sent to the Philippines where many Japanese had not heard that the atomic bomb had ended the war in the Pacific. These disenfranchised combatants were entrenched in surrounding caves allowing them to slaughter the villagers in the valleys below. Lieutenant Henderson’s unit was one of several who fought from cave to cave, finally liberating the Philippines.
The military urged him to make it a career, but he had always wanted to start a business. With an uncle’s recipe for yeast raised donuts and previous years of experience with his older brother, Harold, who died in the war, Roy opened a donut shop in Thomasville. With his last twenty dollars in the change drawer and no way to buy ingredients for the next day’s donuts, his fate was in the hands of the siren smell of freshly baked donuts. When he displayed that first “Open” sign, the line was around the block – HENDERSON’S was born that day and continues today as the oldest continuously family owned restaurant in Thomasville.
Despite working seven days a week most of his restaurant life, Roy found time to involve himself in his children’s activities, serve on the boards of the Elk’s Club and Glen Arven Country Club, and in retirement, became a faithful servant of God through his Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church. Many of his friends, who obviously needed salvation, found that saving grace through his persistent witness.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Hal Henderson, and his sisters: Beverly Williams of Fair Hope, Alabama; Audrey Houston of Waycross, Georgia; and Patsy Sykes of Peachtree City. Georgia.
He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Rosemary Lee Henderson, and his children, Richard L. Henderson, Jr. (Stephanie) of Thomasville and Diane Lee Wolf (Phil) of Kennesaw, Georgia; and by his brother, Lloyd Henderson of Orange Park, Florida.
His grandchildren of son, Richard, are Holly Jennings (Jim) and great-grandchildren, Julia, Austin, Ryan (Shelby) and great-great grandchild Brynlee of Orlando, Florida; Chad Henderson (Lacy) and great-grandchildren, Grady, Clay, Baylee Rose and Bree Louise of Atlanta, Georgia; Whitney Sampson (Gene) and great- grandchildren, Sophi, Tanner and Rudy of Thomasville; Jim Henderson (Renee) and great-grandchildren Maeva and Finn of Thomasville; and Madison Hobgood (Shane) of Hartsfield, Georgia.
His grandchildren of daughter, Diane, are Stephanie Petree (Hank) and great-grandchildren, Kathryn and Jackson of Charleston, South Carolina; and Jenna Smith (Andy) and great-grand children, Jenson and Graham of Charlotte, North Carolina.
When the entire family gathers in Thomasville every Thanksgiving, “Big Poppy” always says, “We have a great family, don’t we?” The family has lost its leader, but God’s army has recruited a great soldier.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Friday, June 22nd, at Allen & Allen Funeral Home. Home-going services will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Milton Gardner at 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 23rd, in The Chapel of First Baptist Church followed by internment at Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Friends are invited to sign the online guest register at www.allenth.com . The family would like to acknowledge the many words of consolation and encouragement that have already been expressed.