Individual Details

Death

Ruth Beatrice Furr Henderson, formerly of Memphis, died peacefully Sunday, November 18, in Yorkville, IL. She was 99. She is remembered for her passion for life, a thirst for knowledge, an appreciation for music and a deep love for God and family. Ruth was born in Memphis on June 29, 1913, an only child to Olive Knard and Caleb Leonard Furr. Both her parents were blind, her mother a graduate of Tennessee School for the Blind in Nashville, and her father an active leader in Southwestern Tennessee work on behalf of the blind. Ruth graduated from Humes High School in 1929 then began a long and accomplished career with the Memphis Public Library. She worked until retirement, except for a few years while rearing her children. She was an avid reader and was always interested in current events. She was involved in church music most of her life, playing the piano and organ and singing in the choir. She made sure her two sons were musically accomplished as well. She cherished her family and would quickly inform anyone that her children were perfect. Ruth was married 62 years to Charles Edward Henderson who died in 1994. She is survived by her children Charles Edward Henderson, Jr. and Shirley (Tichenor) Henderson of Westchester, OH; Billy Michael and Bettie Jo (Coulter) Henderson, of Plainfield, IL; her grandchildren Cathy (Henderson) Talbot, Caleb Henderson, Melissa (Henderson) Laytham, and Laura (Henderson) Jones; and 10 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., with the Funeral Service at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 24, at the Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119. Memphis Funeral Home And Memorial Gardens 5599 Poplar Ave.
Published in The Commercial Appeal on November 22, 2012