Genelle Henderson, 95, Elrod

Genelle Ruth Henderson, 95, of Elrod passed away at 6:30pm, Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at Ripley Crossing in Milan. She was born near Elrod on June 29, 1923 the daughter of Morris and Elva Pearl Elliott Stevens. She was married to Chester Henderson on April 12, 1942 and he preceded her in death on November 8, 2007. Survivors include two daughters Rosalie Hooton, and Shirley (Tom) Pavey both of Elrod; 6 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren; one sister Virginia McDonald of Milan. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her granddaughter Nadine Wiley, her son-in-law Rev. Rand Hooton, her brother Donald Stevens, and her sisters Darlene Lambert and Doris Mounce. Mrs. Henderson was a 1940 graduate of Versailles High School. After high school Genelle worked as a nanny for an Orthodox Jewish family in Cincinnati, an experience that gave her a greater appreciation for faiths different than her own. After marriage she helped Chester on the farm with everything from field work to tending to the livestock. She and Chester also did a lot of hunting together and Genelle was a crack shot with a 22, often outdoing her husband in squirrels, rabbits, and crows. Genelle served as secretary for the Johnson Township as well as the Ripley County Farm Bureau and also for the Laughery Association American Baptist Women. She was a former trustee for the Southeastern Baptist Youth Camp at Westport and she and Chester were former youth leaders at the Washington Baptist Church at Elrod. Genelle was a member of the Versailles Baptist Church, the Ripley County Historical Society, and she and Chester were also former ambassadors for People to People which included farm tours to New Zealand, Australia, and England. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 17th at 11am at the Versailles Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Cantrell and Rev. Harold Carter officiating. Burial will be in the Cliff Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4pm to 7pm at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home and from 10am until time of services Monday at the church. Memorials may be given to the Versailles Baptist Church, the Southeastern Baptist Youth Camp, or the American Bible Society in care of the funeral home.