Mr. James Edward Henderson Sr., age 85, a resident of 643 Cool Point Road, Bath, died Friday, March 31, 2017 at his home.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Sunday, April 2, 2017 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday from the chapel of Paul Funeral Home & Crematory, conducted by Pastor William Creech and Pastor Chris Humphries.

The following will serve as honorary pallbearers: Billy Jefferson, David Myers, James Edward Henderson Jr., James Edward Henderson III, Charlie Louis Singleton, Albert Louis Singleton III, Thad Tankard, Billy Brown, George Stancill, Ray Wilson, Ron Parish, Raymond Lewis, Larry Knox and Dwayne Kellum.

Mr. Henderson was born in Raleigh, N.C. on November 7, 1931. He was the son of the late Garland Atlas Henderson and Beatrice Williams Henderson. Mr. Henderson was Athletic Director, Head Football Coach, Head Wrestling Coach and Head Track Coach at Indian River High School in Chesapeake, Va., until 1974 when he moved to Bath. He was a teacher and coach at Bath High School for one year before transferring to Chocowinity High School where he was Head Football Coach, Assistant Principal and then Principal.

While living in Chesapeake, Mr. Henderson was a member of Woodland Heights Baptist Church where he served as Administrative Chair. He was also a member of the 700 Club where he made appearances on their TV program. After moving to bath, Mr. Henderson became a member of the Bath United Methodist Church, serving on the Church Parish Committee, Administrative Chair, Adult Sunday School teacher, and participated in the Christmas cantata. He was a member of the Bath Lions Club and the Gideons. Mr. Henderson coached the North-South team and was runner up as Principal of the Year.

In 1957, Mr. Henderson married the former Joy Lewis, who survives.

Surviving with his wife are his son, James Edward Henderson Jr. (Jimbo) and wife, Kathleen Bittner Henderson of New Bern; daughter, Dawn Henderson Singleton of Greenville; grandchildren, James Edward Henderson III (Bo), Charles Louis Henderson and Elizabeth Joy Henderson, all of New Bern, Albert Louis Singleton III and Kesler Singleton, both of Greenville.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Henderson was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Albert Louis Singleton Jr. (Bert), five brothers and one sister.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bath United Methodist Church, Attn: Mission Fund, 206 South Main Street, Bath, N.C. 27808.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Henderson family.