Mrs Bobbye May Henderson

February 10, 1933 - December 24, 2017

Bobbye May Henderson, 84, passed away peacefully, December 24, 2017, at her home at the Siena Center at St. Catherine’s Village, in Madison, MS. Funeral services will be held at Carthage United Methodist Church on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 12:00 noon. Visitation at 10:00 am at the church. Arrangements handled by Wilcox Funeral Home of Carthage. Born on February 10, 1933, to her parents Thomas and Ruby May, she attended Forestdale Elementary School and graduated from Philadelphia High School, where she first demonstrated the leader she would be throughout her life. She was elected captain of the basketball team and named Best Girl Athlete her senior year. She received a basketball scholarship to East Mississippi Junior College where she led her team to undefeated State Champions with a record 40 wins and 0 losses. She was named Miss EMJC and Class Favorite and was elected President of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. While at EMJC, she was also invited to join the All American Red Heads, a professional basketball team, but chose to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, where she graduated with a degree in Home Economics Education. Bobbye’s first job brought her to Carthage, where she met and married her husband of 33 years, Ray Ferguson Henderson, until his passing in 1988. She joined Ray in running his business, Henderson Oil Company, and devoted her time to her family, the family business, and her church. She led the Children’s and Youth ministries during her early years at Carthage United Methodist Church, where she was a member for 62 years. . She was a member of the Friendship Sunday School Class, served for numerous years on the Administrative Board as Chairman of Missions, and named Mother of the Year. Bobbye was a marvelous wife and mother, a gifted athlete, an amazing cook, an astute business owner, a visionary and mentor, and a beloved leader and friend. She worked tirelessly for her family, her friends, and her city. She was an energetic leader, who encouraged her children and grandchildren to try anything, grow, learn, excel, and have faith. She did everything with ease and enthusiasm and with an ever-present smile, which is why she was affectionately called Happy. Happy lived that name daily, taught those lessons to her children and grandchildren, and relished in their enthusiasm to live with her positive outlook. Happy was loved by everyone, and her home and dining table were always open. . She took great pride in her culinary skills, and her recipes are cherished by many. When she walked into a room, she lit it up, and we know on Christmas Eve, her Savior’s Birthday Cake was aglow on her arrival. Her leadership skills were also carried into her community. Bobbye became the first woman to be elected alderman for the city of Carthage, and three terms later, the first woman elected as Mayor, where she also served three terms. She worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life in her city, and under her leadership the city of Carthage was selected as one of the Most Livable Communities in Mississippi in 1998. Her achievements and awards were many throughout her life. She was named Woman of the Year by the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, honored as Outstanding Woman of Achievement by the Business of Professional Women’s Club, and inducted in the Sports Hall of Fame at East Mississippi Junior College. Survivors include her children, Mary Glynn Wright of Oxford, Mississippi, David Cook Henderson (Laurie) of Carthage, Mississippi, Dawn Elizabeth Henderson of Dallas, Texas, and Martha Jo Vance (Greg ) of Jackson, Mississippi; her grandchildren Elizabeth Wright Raggio (Neil), John Mark Henderson (Ashlee), Kevan Wright, Mary Anna Wright, Laura Katherine Henderson, Hailey Henderson Middleton (Alex), and Gregory Vance; her great grandchildren Grayson and Stephen Raggio, Wells and Hudson Henderson; and her numerous nieces and nephews. Bobbye is preceded in death by her parents; husband; son Mark Kevan Henderson; son-in-law Tim Wright; brothers Cook and Bryan May; sisters Elizabeth Fulton and Arlene Wolverton. The family would like to thank the exceptional staff at the Siena Center at St. Catherine’s Village for their love and care of Happy. And a special thank you to Geraldine Garrett, who was a gifted care giver and trusted friend for Happy.