Mary Kay Henderson

“Will the circle be unbroken by and by Lord, by and by. There's a better home awaiting in the sky Lord, in the sky.” (The Carter Family) Mary "Kay" Henderson was called home by her loving Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 9:50pm. She was met in Heaven by her father, Emmett, mother, Catherine, and sister, Saundra, awaiting to join the circle forever. Kay was born in Baton Rouge, LA, on August 27, 1949, at 9:10pm, to Emmett McKowen Henderson Jr. and Catherine McGaugh Henderson. She was almost exactly 75 ½ years old. She spent a happy childhood among a large loving family including grandparents, many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her greatest joy was touring the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, especially the Great Smoky Mountains area, with her family and pets. She graduated from Istrouma High School in 1967 and Southeastern Louisiana College (SLU) in 1972. She began her career at LADOTD where she worked one summer as a mail clerk. Going from office to office, meeting just about everyone in the department and making many friends, she found the job of her dreams in the Planning Office. It was there she began as an Engineering Tech/Cartographer drafting maps of cities, towns, villages, and parishes in Louisiana that were used in engineering projects. One of the major projects was the Official Highway Map commonly known as the "Tourist Map". In 1983 the department began the process of "digital" mapping to create a spatially related basemap to facilitate a statewide "GIS" system. Kay was involved with the early development of the Louisiana Geographic Information Systems Council created to provide a forum of federal, state, and local governments GIS efforts. Along with several other state office colleagues she was instrumental in getting GIS job titles created and implemented by Louisiana Civil Service. Working 32 years, Kay retired as the Cartographic Manager/GIS Supervisor in 2005. She leaves behind her precious feline pandemic partner "Greta"; and many loving cousins. Kay is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Emmett M. Henderson, Sr., Grace Bridges Henderson; maternal grandparents, MW and Alma Daniels McGaugh; parents Emmett, Jr. and Catherine McGaugh Henderson; sister, Saundra Ann Henderson; her very best and dear friend, Barbara Bindon; and a host of loving, lifelong companions of kitties, pups, and birdies that waited patiently to greet her once again. Thank you to Rachael LaBorde-Lucas, her sweet friend and dialysis nurse, who adopted “Greta” as her own. Thank you to Dr. Bradley Meek, Dr. Jon Schellack, especially Dr. Samuel of Renal Associates, and all the nurses and staff at Ascension Fresenius Kidney Care for the kindness and care during her battle with CKD and kidney failure. Thank you for the wonderful staff at the Butterfly Wing, for caring so beautifully for Mary Kay in her last days of her journey home. Visitation will be a St Luke's Episcopal Church, 8833 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 2:30pm until the time of a memorial service at 3pm. There will be a private burial, along with her loving sister and pets, at a later date.