A Poem of Remembrance

I walked by faith from Smithville soil,

with God leading the way;

through dirt roads and green pastures,

through war, through loss,

through joy and pain,

I trusted Him each day

. What a life I’ve led,

by God’s grace,

countless souls I fed;

with meals from my hands and love from my heart,

I tried to do my Christian part.

I fed some with food,

some with laughter and care,

some with stories, wisdom, and prayer;

and if my life gave comfort along the way,

then give God the glory when you remember me today.

Now family, don’t you grieve too long,

and don’t let sorrow stay;

remember all the love we shared,

and let God guide your way

. Keep telling all those stories, keep laughter in the air;

keep loving one another, and meet the Lord in prayer.

And family, when you gather, don’t sit too quiet or long;

tell one of my old stories, then laugh and sing a song.

Don’t fuss over me too much, don’t let your joy depart;

I left you love, I left you laughter, and a full plate of my heart.

So, Buzzards, dry those eyes now,

and don’t make too much fuss;

because Heaven has a kitchen, and you know I’m already checking the seasoning for us.

When you reach the pearly gates, Mother and I will be waiting with your plate.

All our loved ones will be there to welcome you home,

where we will forever rejoice together before God’s heavenly throne.

Obituary

Horace James Henderson peacefully transitioned to his heavenly home on June 10, 2026, at 12:45 a.m., at the remarkable age of ninety-seven. His life was a beautiful blend of faith, family, service, humor, good food, and unforgettable stories. To know Horace was to know a man who loved deeply, laughed freely, served faithfully, and made every gathering feel warmer simply because he was there.

Horace’s life journey began on November 24, 1928, in Smithville, Texas. He was the first child born to Kenneth and Jannie Jones Henderson. At an early age, he established a relationship with God at Center Union AME Church, where the foundation of his faith was laid. His educational journey reflected resilience and determination. After completing the eighth grade at rural Longview School, Horace moved to San Antonio to attend school. When a tornado destroyed his parents’ home, he returned to Smithville to help his family and continue his education. Later, he returned to San Antonio, completed high school, attended St. Phillip’s Junior College, and worked at Kelly Air Force Base as an intern instrument repairman.

In 1950, Horace relocated to Detroit to continue his work with the Federal Government at Detroit Arsenal. He encouraged his Texas sweetheart, Mabel Usher, to join him there, and they married in February 1952. Two weeks later, he was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War, proudly serving for two years, including overseas service in Germany. After military service, he returned to his Federal Government career until retiring in 1988. Horace and Mabel built a life rooted in faith, devotion, laughter, and unconditional love, sharing sixty-seven wonderful years of marriage until Mabel’s passing in 2019.

Horace's faith journey came full circle in 1967 while his grandfather, affectionately known as Pappa Steve, was living with him and Mabel. A lifelong member of the A.M.E. Church, Pappa Steve attended the Annual Conference at St. Stephen A.M.E. Church, with Horace accompanying him. That experience inspired Horace to join St. Stephen, and what began as a simple act of love and hospitality became a lifelong commitment. Horace went on to become one of the church's oldest and most active members, faithfully serving as a Trustee, member of the Bereavement Committee, Class Leader, member of the Male and Gospel Chorus, Minute Men, Culinary Society, Men's Club, and a dependable volunteer whenever and wherever he was needed.

Family was one of Horace's greatest joys. He and Mabel provided a nurturing and loving home for Mabel's niece, Amber Usher, as well as his nieces DeAndrea Reynolds and E'Creia Perez. Their love extended to countless nieces and nephews, all of whom captured Horace's heart. He affectionately referred to them as his "buzzards," a nickname delivered with the same humor and affection that became his trademark.

Horace was known for his quick wit, a gift inherited from his father. He could make people laugh with a perfectly timed comment, a clever story, or one of his many humorous observations about life. If there was a family gathering, there was a good chance Horace would be at the center of laughter. His family will deeply miss his jokes, his storytelling, and delicious cooking, which often brought everyone together around the table.

He was also the family's historian, faithfully preserving the stories that connected one generation to the next. Even at ninety-seven years old, Horace could vividly recall memories from his childhood, but his knowledge reached even further back. He lovingly passed down the names, details, and pictures of ancestors dating back to the 1800s, making sure their lives were remembered and their legacy remained alive within the family. He often shared stories about following behind his father while tending the family farm and proudly remembered the tuxedo his mother made for him to wear at church for the Tom Thumb Wedding when he was a little boy. His memories were treasures, preserving family history and reminding younger generations where they came from.

Although Detroit became home, Texas always remained close to his heart. He frequently returned to visit family and friends, sometimes staying for months at a time. No matter where he lived, Texas was never far from his thoughts. Horace, Mabel, and Amber often came for Christmas. One of Horace's favorite family traditions was Christmas at the family farm in Smithville, where the house was filled with stories, laughter, good food, and the kind of teasing only the Henderson family could get away with. His mother, Jannie, would make some of his favorite dishes, and Horace would be right there in the kitchen beside her, proudly working on his famous yeast rolls, egg custard pie, and hog head cheese. He may have lived in Detroit—the Motor City, Motown and all—but make no mistake: Horace was still a country boy at heart. Humor ran deep in the Henderson family, especially among Horace and his siblings, and that playful spirit gave birth to the legendary Henderson Christmas gag-gift tradition. Year after year, they tried to outdo one another with the funniest gifts they could find, including unforgettable treasures like Brer Rabbit molasses, chicken feet, and platform shoes to name a few. Horace delighted in every bit of it—the jokes, the surprises, the laughter, and the chance to keep everybody smiling. If there was foolishness in the room, he did not just join in; he helped organize it, season it, and serve it with a straight face..

Horace was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mabel Henderson; his parents, Kenneth and Jannie Henderson; his sisters, Joyce Reynolds and Janie K. Ellison; and his brothers, Steve K., Gerald, and Hayward Henderson. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved niece, Amber Usher; sisters, Carrie Milligan (Edward), Temple Texas and Patria Meshack, Dallas, Texas; sisters-in-law, Sally Henderson, San Antonio, Texas and Carrie Henderson, Austin, Texas; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

As we celebrate the life of Horace James Henderson, we remember a faithful servant of God, devoted husband, big brother, proud veteran, loving uncle, family historian, exceptional storyteller, and man who never missed an opportunity to make someone smile. His life was a blessing, his memory a treasure, and his love a gift that will remain forever in our hearts.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23