Jack Percival Henderson

Funeral services for Jack Percival Henderson, 93, of Greenville will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 12 at First United Methodist Church, Greenville.  He  passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 9, 2018.  Burial will be in the Greenville Cemetery under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Greenville.

His was a life of service to others that arose from his Christian faith.  He was born on October 27, 1925 in Greenville, Mississippi and lived there for most of his life. He was active in athletics as a young man especially in tennis and football at Greenville High School. While in high school, he met his sweetheart Virginia Colvin Henderson (Jenny), with whom he quickly fell in love.  They dated until he went off to the war and after his return home were married.

During World War II, he enlisted in the Air Force and was a waist gunner on a B29.  He completed 27 missions against Japan and participated in supply drops to American prisoners of war in Japan when the war ended.  He received several decorations for his combat accomplishments including the Distinguished Flying Cross.     Jack and his partner, Mr. Flower Strazi, for many years worked together in the life insurance business. They were great friends and even chose grave sites for them and their wives which are beside each other.  Jack loved people and never met a stranger.  He delighted in helping others and was very loyal to his friends. 

He is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, Virginia Colvin Henderson (Jenny) and his four children Rev. John Clark Henderson (Janet) Madison, Mississippi, Nancy Henderson McGee (John) Memphis, Tennessee, Jack Collins Henderson (Susie) New Albany, Mississippi, and Melanie Henderson Newell (Alvin) The Woodlands, Texas. He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. The devotion that he and Jenny had for each other never waned up until the last day.  This great gift of a marriage that endured and was centered in a genuine faith in Christ is cherished by all of their offspring.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Broughton Henderson, Senior and two brothers- Ernest Broughton Henderson, Junior and Erwin Henderson.

Special thanks go to the medical staff at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS whose care for Jack brought great comfort to his wife and family on many occasions. Prior to their move to Madison in January of 2018, the late Dr. Leon Lenoir, Dr. Michael Cirilli and Dr. Michael Mansour provided many years of excellent medical care to both Jack and Jenny.  Our family is also very grateful for the staff and residents of The Home Place, Mrs. Earlene Ford from PrimeCare Nursing and StaHome Health Services for their many kind and wonderful deeds of support and care for Jack and Jenny. 

There will be a visitation from 9:30-11:00 a.m., Wednesday at First United Methodist Church.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Blair Batson Children’s Hospital at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi.