Florence Evelyn

Bailey Henderson

Florence Evelyn Bailey Henderson was the eleventh of twelve children born to Bertha Harris Bailey and Isom Lincoln Bailey. They raised her in Richmond, Virginia, with a deep commitment to faith, family, friends, helping others, servant leadership, and education. These values were the cornerstones by which she lived her beautiful life.

From an early age, Florence, nicknamed "Pumpkin," was active and deeply rooted in her community. She was a girl scout who worshiped at Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church and looked out for seniors in her Jackson Ward community. She spent her summers with family in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where her older siblings resided with their families. She graduated from Armstrong High School at the top of her class, as a straight A student. She was a member of the cheering squad and an Honor Sponsor for the Cadet Corps Captains. Often, she reflected on her days during long walks to and from her home on 3rd Street to school, every day, rain or shine.

Upon graduating from high school, Florence enrolled and graduated from Virginia Union University in Richmond, where she majored in English, worked in the Business School and the President's Office, was named a Who's Who Among College Students, and joined the Alpha Eta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Shortly thereafter, while working as an English teacher, she fell in love with and married Arnold Reginald Henderson. Their life-long partnership was grounded in love, devotion to their children and families, service, and shared purpose. She later received a Master's Degree from Virginia State University in Educational Administration and received Certifications in Educational Administration and Counseling from Columbia University.

Professionally, Florence gave more than forty years of service to the Richmond Public School system and retired as a Middle School Counselor from East End Middle School. During her career, she was appointed to serve on local and state committees as a representative for Guidance Counselors. A former Richmond Public School Superintendent described Florence as a patient, persistent, loyal, and dedicated professional who cared deeply for the children and families she encountered.

Anyone who knew Florence knows how deeply she loved her church, neighbors, friends, and her community. Whether she was organizing and working in the food pantry, chairing the children's scholarship or church anniversary committees, or serving as Superintendent and teaching Sunday school at her beloved Ebenezer Baptist Church, her energy, dedication, and warmth touched countless lives. She was a dedicated officer with the Edgehill Civic Association and an active supporter of the Urban League, the United Negro College Fund, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the RVA Outreach Involvement Center.

Florence was a charter member of the Gamma Delta Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated, and served on the Honorary Committee for Bon Secours' Violence Response Team's annual fundraiser in Richmond. She was also a founding Board Member for Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. She was known for her passionate work uplifting others while volunteering her services as a Diamond Soror with the Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (where she served as Basileus), the Richmond Chapter of The MOLES, Incorporated, and as a Charter member and Platinum Link with the James River Valley (VA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.

Florence was a woman of wide-ranging passions. "Flo," as she was called later in life, was an avid card player and proud member of several bridge clubs and a pinochle club, the Setteyags—a close-knit group of friends who gathered monthly for fifty-six years. In her seasoned years, she played Sudoku and Solitaire for her own enjoyment nearly every evening and enjoyed the company of "The Seasoned Spices"—a group of friends who loved to eat out, have fun, and experience life to the fullest. She was an avid traveler with her husband, and together, they introduced each of their children to a majority of the 50 states and ventured abroad during their summer vacations.

Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold, her parents and siblings (Wilhelmina, Ethel Mae, Leon, Roger, Louis, Theodore, Warren, Doris, Bernard, Bernice, and James Bailey), and their spouses. She is survived by son Arnold Reginald Henderson, V, daughter Rita Renee Henderson, daughter-in-law Andrea Jones Henderson, and grandson Arnold Reginald Henderson, VI. She is also survived by her god-daughter Alisha Yvette Thomas, and many loving, devoted nieces and nephews (great, great-great, and great-great-great), their families, and close lifelong friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 27, at 1:00 PM at Ebenezer Baptist Church (216 W. Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23220). The service will be available to view live on the church's YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person www.youtube.com/@EbenezerBaptistChurchRichmond At 11:30 AM, public memorial recognitions by The Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the Richmond Chapter of The MOLES, Incorporated, the James River Valley (VA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and the Gamma Delta Chapter of The Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated, will precede the Celebration of Life.

The family asks that those who wish to express their sympathy in ways other than flowers take a walk somewhere beautiful or call someone they love. If anyone wishes, they may make memorial donations in honor of Florence Evelyn Bailey Henderson to the Ebenezer Baptist Church Children's Scholarship Fund at 216 W. Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23220 or online at https://www.ebenezerrva.org Please make checks payable to the "Ebenezer Baptist Church Scholarship Fund" and write "In memory of Florence E. B. Henderson" on the memo line.