Drakesboro – Nathan W. Henderson, Sr., 86, passed away Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at the Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital in Greenville. Born December 24, 1936, in Pleasureville, Ky. he was the first born of four children to the late Samuel Lyndon Henderson and Carrie Bell Warren (Henderson), accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Betty D’ Haven Baptist Church under Pastorship of the late Rev. J. R. Bowman. Nathan was a member of Pilgrim Baptist, Macedonia Baptist Church of Champaign, Ill., Log Providence Baptist, Columbia, Mo. and Star Hope Baptist Church, Louisville. Before his passing, his membership was sustained at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Drakesboro. In the churches he attended, he served as an Usher, Director of the Youth Department, Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent of Sunday School, Trustee, and Deacon. Nathan held the title of KY Colonel twice and retired as a Post Master. Currently, he was a deacon at the Bethel Baptist Missionary Baptist Church in Drakesboro, where he was very loved and cared for.
He attended Elementary Schools in Shelby County, Ky., graduated from Lincoln Institute, at Lincoln Ridge Ky., attended Kentucky State College in Frankfort and Parkland Junior College in Champaign, Ill. Nathan was reared on farms in Shelby County, employed by Bon Ton Department Store in Louisville, served as a member of the United States Air Force from June 1955 until December 1967, employed by the U.S. Postal Service from January 1968 until October 2, 1992, a member of the American Legion, Masonic Order Hiram Lodge #10 in Champaign, Ill., King James Lodge #16 in Louisville, Disabled Veterans, National Active and Retired Employees Association, Louisville Metro Chapter 262. First starting as a clerk, then transferring to the Carrier Craft, he progressed into the management ranks from Customer Service Representative to the District Director of Marketing, Kansas City, Mo.
He was preceded in death by a son, Nathan W. Henderson, Jr.; sister, Marie Estell White Works; brother Samuel J. Henderson, Sr. and Richard Henderson; Nora Ann Browne Henderson, Charlene A. McMullen Henderson, and Chestina Smith Henderson, all preceded him in death along with his parents, Samuel Henderson, Carrie Henderson and Goddaughter, Barbara Jean McGee.
He leaves to cherish his memory, a loving wife Earletta Robinson Henderson of Drakesboro; two sons Gerald R. (Gail) Foster of Atlanta, Ga. and Martinez D. Foster of Champaign, Ill.; seven daughters Melinda (Derrick) White of Champaign, Ill., Stephanie M. (Donald) Hemann of Louisville, Lola (Michael) Johnson of Crestview, Fla., Natalye D’Ann Henderson of Houston, Texas, Rebecca (Michael) Blythe of Cincinnati, Ohio, Jeanette (Alexander) Byrd of Houston, Texas and Cynthia Buckner of Lexington; grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; one sister, Gladys Grundy of Louisville; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. at the Star Hope Baptist Church, 5009 E. Indian Trail, Louisville, KY. Visitation is from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Visitation at Bethel Baptist Missionary Baptist Church, 205 Simmons St., Drakesboro will be Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Burial in Louisville Memorial Gardens West, 4400 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY 40216 with Rev. Dr. Herbert Johnson, Jr., Officiating.
Final tribute entrusted to Bibbs Funeral Home, 109 Court Row, Greenville, KY 42345.
Online condolences for the family may be shared at bibbsfuneralhome.com
