KENNETH HENDERSON

Kenneth Lathet Henderson was born July 13, 1952 in Waxahachie, Texas.  He was the beloved son of Sammie T. and Renetta R. Henderson, who owned and operated Henderson’s grocery store for many years located on Main street in Waxahachie, Texas.  Kenneth departed this life on Thursday, February 4, 2021.      Upon graduation from Waxahachie High School, Kenneth entered East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas (currently known as Texas A&M University - Commerce) where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.  Later, he obtained an Associate Degree from Cedar Valley College in Accounting.  He returned to East Texas State University and earned a Masters’ Degree in Educational Administration. He subsequently returned a third time to East Texas State University and received his Librarian Certification.     Kenneth’s chosen professions were in several areas with his main focus in the educational field.  He began his teaching career with the Waxahachie Independent School District.   In 1988, he was later employed with the Dallas Independent School District. He retired from Whitney M. Young, Jr. Elementary School as the school librarian in May, 2011.  During his tenure with DISD, he also taught at J.N. Ervin, Amelia Earhart and Fannie C. Harris Elementary Schools.  After retirement, he worked as a substitute teacher in the Lancaster School District. Kenneth was a leader, educator, teacher, and mentor, always promoting academic excellence and literary empowerment for all his students.     Other employment included the Dallas Branch of the Internal Revenue Service as an auditor and with Galloway-Herron Real Estate Agency as a licensed realtor.      Kenneth was blessed with the gift for music as a child and played the organ and piano at an early age.  He was appointed as the youth musician at his home church, Joshua Chapel AME Church of Waxahachie, Texas. He held this position until he graduated from college.  He shared his talent with many churches in the Dallas metroplex area, including Griggs Chapel Baptist Church; New Hope Baptist Church; Christian Chapel CME Church; Bonneview Christian Church; and First CME Church.  He was often sought after to share his musical talents for special events on various occasions.  Not only did he play the piano and organ, but he also composed, arranged and scored musical compositions.  In 1996, he wrote the song “I Will Give Thanks” and submitted it to the Texas Mass Choir which became an immediate hit.  The following year it was picked by The Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) to be the theme song for the organization’s 30th Anniversary Album.  His song was listed on the Gospel Billboard for several months thereafter.  In 2004, he was a judge for the Stellar Music Awards and in 2005. Kenneth became a member of the prestigious recording academy better known as the Grammy Awards.  Throughout his life, he received numerous awards and recognitions for his talent and in 2013, Kenneth was inducted into the Dallas Metroplex Musicians Association’s “Hall of Fame”.    Kenneth was an active member with the Christian Chapel CME Church/Temple of Faith until his health began to fail.  As a member he was also one of the church’s lead musicians. His greatest joy in life was simple devotion in the early morning with prayer, a daily devotional book and the Bible.  His life motto was “All of these things the Lord has done”.   Kenneth had many interests and passions.  He was a civic activist and a member of many organizations. He was appointed by the Dallas County Court System as a Special Advocate for Abused and Neglected Children.  Memberships included Dallas Librarians, Texas Librarians, DISD African American Leadership Society, Entre Nous Book Club, United Way of Dallas Leadership Circle, Dallas Urban League, Dallas NAACP, African-American Museum, Black Academy of Arts and Letters, East Texas State University Blue and Gold Society, East Texas State University “Old School Alumni” board member.     Kenneth was a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the oldest African-American fraternity in America.  He was also a life member of the King David Lodge Chapter #188 of the Prince Hall Masons and Bethsaida Lodge #168 MWPHGL of Waxahachie Texas.    He enjoyed many social activities, including playing spades and bid whist with his neighbors, playing dominoes, ballroom dancing and horseback riding, just to name a few.  Also, he was an avid Cowboy fan.  Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents, Sammie & Renetta Henderson and his sister, Sandra Graves Lee – California. Kenneth leaves to cherish his memory and mourn his passing many relatives and friends which include his Dallas area family: Cousin & Caregiver Sylvia Henderson Hartman Hyman (Louis) DeSoto, Texas; Cousins: Helene Henderson Jones (Philip) Midlothian, Texas; Yvette Henderson Simmons (Wade) DeSoto, Texas; Charles Henderson, Jr. (Iva), Duncanville, Texas;  Eric Henderson, DeSoto, Texas. His out-of-town relatives include: Nephew Dr. Christopher Lee (Stephanie); Cousins: Valaida Crabbe Givens of Houston, Texas.; Jessie Robertson and Earlene Hawkins, Los Angeles CA; Valaida Metzene Crabbe (Michael), Missouri City, Texas; Hasina Bomani, Ella Rea Westmoreland, Houston, Texas; Texas; James Crabbe (deceased) (Shelia), Houston, Texas .  In addition to other family members and friends, he leaves to cherish his memory and mourn his passing, Donna Lewis, his devoted caretaker.