Lester Kent Henderson III

Lester “Les” Kent Henderson III, 57, went home to be with our Lord Monday, June 15th. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama on February 22, 1969 to Lester Kent Henderson Jr. and Catherine Christianne Henderson. He grew up alongside his two older sisters and one younger sister, all of whom he loved dearly.

He inherited a love of sports from his father, and grew up playing basketball, baseball, and football. He graduated in 1987 from Robert E. Lee High School, and went on to attend and graduate from The University of Alabama in 1993 with a degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in English.

He initially followed in his father’s footsteps by starting a career in banking at Regions Bank (formerly First Alabama Bank), where he met his wife and love of his life, Karen Heaton Henderson, to whom he was married for thirty years. A dear friend, Madelene ElMasri, introduced them and their first child was named in her honor.

He later felt a calling to teach, and began his career at Sidney Lanier High School in 2001. Throughout his career, he worked in Special Education, like his mother, and primarily taught English and History. He earned his Highly Qualified Status certification in both Secondary English Language Arts and Secondary Special Education. He retired from teaching in 2023 due to ongoing health concerns. He was especially proud of the students he helped pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam (AHSGE).

During his time at Lanier, he began coaching football and also baseball, which was his primary passion. His favorite memory of Lanier was coaching baseball alongside his dad, as memorialized in a Montgomery Advertiser article. He later coached several seasons at LAMP High School, and finished his coaching career at St. James School, where he coached for 13 years. Coaching brought much joy to his life, and his sense of humor and ability to truly listen endeared him to his players, fellow coaches and friends.

He welcomed his first daughter, Madelene, in 2001, and his second daughter, MaryMargaret, in 2007. His two girls were his pride and joy, and he poured into them his love for the arts, music, and animals. He cherished having daughters and loved every moment he got to spend with them.

Les was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, Kelly Ronald Heaton.

The family has asked in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to the St James School baseball team.

He is survived by his loving wife and daughters Karen, Madelene, and MaryMargaret; sisters Leigh Anne Werner, Aimee LaChapelle (Tim), and Jessica Terry (Russell); along with many beloved nieces and nephews

Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at St James Church on Wednesday June 24, 2026 at 11:00 AM with a family and friends visitation one hour prior to service.