Catherine Christianne "Chris" Henderson

Services will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Saint James Global Methodist Church. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m., with the service at 2 p.m. Graveside services will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

Catherine, known as “Chris” to her family and friends, was born at home on March 25, 1941, in East Brewton, Alabama, to Frank and Jessie Mae Ashton. She graduated from T.R. Miller High School and moved to Montgomery to attend Huntingdon College and study education, where she met Lester K. Henderson, Jr. They married on August 19, 1961, welcomed four children, and spent nearly 58 years together before his passing in July 2019.

Her decades-long career in education began with teaching stints at Sidney Lanier High School and Robert E. Lee High School. She then moved to special education, teaching at Chisholm Elementary School. She received a Masters in Education from Auburn University Montgomery and later worked as a psychometrist, administering and scoring standardized testing for IQs, which helped develop Montgomery Public Schools’ gifted program. She became a special education supervisor for the system and later entered the role of principal for Montgomery’s Children’s Center, where she retired in 2008.

She was a member of Saint James Church for over 25 years and spent time serving and participating in various capacities, including small groups, sifting ashes after burning palms for Ash Wednesday, and helping with communion. Most notably, she helped lead Celebrate Recovery each week, which she started with Pastor Walter Albritton in 2007. She enjoyed offering support, encouragement, and love to those who needed it, a testament to how well she served others in Christ’s name.

Chris was an accomplished author, having published “The Heart of the Matter: Focusing on the Will of God,” “My Chains are Gone! His Mercy Reigns,” and “Our Shepherd: We are the sheep of His Pasture!” She also penned a mystery, drawing inspiration from her favorite author, Agatha Christie, and several short stories about and for her family; one story about her late husband was even featured in Woman’s World magazine.

Chris learned about plants from her mother and highly enjoyed working outside, becoming a Master Gardener after retirement. She had a strong love for animals and enjoyed having various cats and dogs in her home over the years. Her family was most important to her, and she treasured time spent with them, especially the occasions where everyone was able to gather at the same time.

Chris was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother, Alex Ashton; as well as her mother- and father-in-law, Frances Cook Henderson and Lester K. Henderson, Sr.

She is survived by her children Leigh Werner, Aimee LaChapelle (Tim), Lester K. Henderson III (Karen), and Jessica Terry (Russell); grandchildren Nicholas Werner, Jacob Werner (Jess), Anna Werner, Rebecca LaChapelle, Madelene Henderson, Dewey Terry, Ashton Terry, and Mary-Margaret Henderson; and great-grandchildren Brailyn Werner, Hendrix Werner, and Jett Werner.

Pallbearers will be Tim LaChapelle, Russell Terry, Jacob Werner, Dewey Terry, Ray Pruett and Ray Velazquez

Memorials may be given to Saint James Global Methodist Church or Bethany House in Auburn, Alabama.

The family would like to sincerely thank the nurses, doctors, case managers, and other professionals from Baptist Medical Center East in Montgomery and Bethany House in Auburn for their compassionate care and support, as well as the pastors and brothers and sisters in Christ of Saint James Church.