Annie Florence Henderson

Annie Florence Henderson passed away on Saturday, October 29, 2016, of congestive heart failure after living with her daughter, Jane Henderson Jones and son-in-law, Richard Edward Jones, Jr. for ten joyful years in Manassas, VA. Annie, or Flo, loved to sew and garden growing prize winning vegetables and flowers. She also read for many hours enjoying both non-fiction and fiction. Even more, she loved people and life. She planned to live to be 125. She valued helping others so much that throughout her life, her mission was always to care for people not personal belongings. Born in a one-room-cabin in Musella, GA on January 29, 1929, to the late Owen and Gertrude Belcher, she was saddened when both died in a car accident in 1965. She was the size of a coke can at birth and not expected to survive, but she did, becoming the last surviving sibling out of nine. Annie was preceded in death by four sisters: Floy Inez Mowdy Dyer, Shreveport, LA; Doris Robinson of Opelika, AL.; Bernice Ferguson, Decatur, AL, and Ellen Brantley Pate, Auburn, AL., as well as, four brothers: Newton Wilson Belcher, Opelika, AL; William Belcher, FL; Milton Leo Belcher, Auburn, AL, and Gordon Travis Belcher, Opelika, AL. After graduating salutatorian from Lee County High School in Auburn, AL, Annie went on to nursing school in Atlanta, GA, to be ready for WWII. In Georgia, she met John E. Henderson, who swept her off her feet. Their marriage, lasting twenty-two years, produced four children. Three loving daughters still survive: Kaaren Henderson Kerlin, San Diego, CA; Jane Henderson Jones, Manassas, VA, and Kimberly Henderson Wheeler, Richmond, VA. One male child did not survive infancy: John Xavier Henderson, Auburn, AL. Annie was an inspiration to many in Arlington, Virginia, where she moved after living in New Carrolton, MD. Her divorce didn’t slow her down and she made a living sewing or tailoring perfectly fitted clothing, upholstery work and creating beautiful drapes. She worked in Arlington taking care of the elderly until, at age 83, she got a well-deserved rest from striving for excellence in many part-time jobs. She held her jobs to gather income sometimes for the needs of others often providing food, shelter and funds to those less fortunate. She believed in the benefits of healthful living long before natural or super foods became news. Her surviving grandchildren and great grandchildren already know or will learn strength of character from Annie Florence Henderson stories. Mark Kerlin, loving grandson with his wife, Holly Kerlin and two children: Jonas and Genevieve Kerlin of Vienna, VA; John Gammon, loving grandson of Richmond, VA, and Katie Jones Kraig, loving granddaughter with her husband William Frederick Kraig and son: Evan Jones Kraig of Manassas, VA. will all be able to carry on the tradition of service to others and a belief in the value of hard work because of Annie’s hard work. A special thanks to Vitas Hospice for their help in keeping Annie comfortable and to PWC Novant ER and Manassas Rehab for their professional care.

Annie Florence Henderson

January 29, 1923 - October 29, 2016