Ila Henderson

Ila Downs Henderson died peacefully at home on February 26, 2025, bringing a life of service and dedication to her family to a close. She was 99 years old at the time of her death having celebrated her birthday on February 7, 2025. She was a lifelong resident of Pell City, Alabama.

Ila was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Howell Payne Henderson, and by her son, Marx Payne Henderson. She was also preceded in death by her mother and father, Callie Bell Kerr Downs and Julius Joshua Downs.

She is survived by her son, Howell Keith Henderson (Sharon), and her daughter, Judy Hardwick (Bill), five grandchildren, Blaine Henderson (Laurie), Will Hardwick (Hiliary), Callie Williams (Camaran), Carrie Barnes (Anthony), and Payne Henderson (Megan). She also had eleven great-grandchildren, Garrett, Myles, and Lila Henderson; Harrison and Helen Kate Hardwick; Cam, Charlie, and Ila Williams; Eli Barnes; and Reece and Anne Frances Henderson.

Ila was a Registered Nurse by profession and spent the majority of her career working in Labor and Delivery at Anniston Memorial Hospital. She finished her nursing career working in public health within St. Clair County. She always said nursing was the most rewarding of professions.

She was a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother completely dedicated to and proud of her family. She wore many hats and answered to many names such as Ila, Mom, Nanny, Nan, Nurse, and friend to so many.

Ila walked this earth for 99 years and touched many people with her ability to see each person for who they were, to make heartfelt personal connections with anyone, and to lend the best listening ear with the wisdom to know when to give advice and when to just listen. She will be missed by many but what a legacy she is leaving behind.

The family would like to thank her special friend, Pam Waddell, for her dedication to Ila for over twenty years. We also appreciate her caregivers, Sylvia, Alex, Canvass, and Karlie for their many years of service, and Affinity Hospice for their care of her.

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, the church her husband and father-in-law constructed, on March 5, 2025, at Noon with a period of visitation with the family beginning at 11:00. Rev. John Thweatt will lead the service with Kilgroe Funeral Home directing. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to First Baptist Church or The Pell City Educational Foundation.