James Freeman Henderson, Sr.

James Freeman Henderson, Sr. passed from his earthly life into the next realm of existence on Thursday, December 14, 2017. Funeral services will be held at Martha Bowman United Methodist Church on Bass Road at 2:00PM on Sunday, December 17, 2017. Dr. John Horton and the Reverend Tim Steffen will officiate. Burial will follow at Henderson- Stripling Cemetery in Jones County. A visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at Damascus Hall at the church. The family will lovingly receive flowers or donations to Martha Bowman United Methodist Church, 500 Bass Road Macon, GA 3l2l0 or donations to the charity of your choice. Mr. Henderson (Freeman) was born May 30, 1927 in Jones County, Georgia. He grew up on his father's farm in southern Jones County near the Griswoldville Community. Growing up in a farm family, he was well acquainted with the hard work and the unpredictable vicissitudes of nature which were common to those who endeavored to extract a living from the soil. He was the only child of Shelton Lafayette Henderson and Nora Watson Henderson, who were caring and attentive parents, who administered both love and discipline appropriately, and afforded him a happy childhood. In addition to his parents, his childhood included a caring mammy named Laura Balkcom, and a great-grandfather, named Josiah Henderson. Josiah was a wounded Civil War Confederate veteran who doted on him, told him many stories and taught him history and spelling, even in his pre-school years. Mr. Henderson (Freeman) went to Griswold Elementary and Jr. High School. During most of his years there, the rooms were heated with a coal burning pot-bellied stove, the water was drawn from a well, and there was no indoor plumbing, but the 4 teachers were exemplary instructors as good as could be found anywhere. After graduation from Griswold Elementary/Jr. High School, he attended Jones County High School in Gray, Georgia. After high school graduation in 1944, he attended Mercer University for a short while. But since this was wartime, he left school to join the Navy. He spent his boot camp days at Great Lakes and subsequently, served on the Destroyer USS Wadleigh. After his Naval discharge, he attended and graduated from Middle Georgia College. He then attended and graduated from the newly created school, Southern Tech, later Southern Poly Tech State University, which has presently merged with Kennesaw State University. After graduating from Southern Tech, he was blessed to be employed by the architectural firm of Dennis and Dennis Architects. The principals of the firm were, John C. Dennis and Ward Dennis, two outstanding architects, as well as, gentlemen of the highest order. A further bit of good fortune was to be mentored for 10 years by chief draftsman, Sidney Brown, his architectural idol. While he was employed at Dennis & Dennis, love entered his life. He met lovely girl named Betty Beck, at a box supper party. He fell in love almost immediately, and she responded in kind. They were married July 8, 1950. Their union was blessed with 3 children, Julie, Jill, and Jim. After 10 years with Dennis & Dennis, he joined gifted architect, Tom Bray, to form the firm, Henderson & Bray Architects. They set up an office at 678 Poplar Street and worked there for 4 years. After 4 years, they merged with the firm W. Elliot Dunwoody and for a time operated as Dunwoody, Dunwoody, Henderson & Bray Architects. Later, Freeman joined Dennis & Dennis Architects as an associate and worked there for several years. In 1973, he rejoined friends and past partners, Eugene Dunwoody, Eliot Dunwoody and Robert Beeland to from Dunwoody, Beeland & Henderson Architects, where he worked for the next 18 years, until his retirement. Mr. Henderson (Freeman) was actively involved in church, civic and professional activities. He was a member of Cross Keys United Methodist Church for over 50 years, and during his membership there, he served as a Sunday School teacher and held most offices within the church. He was appointed by the Board of Jones County Commissioners, along with fellow Jones Countians, Albert Bloodworth, Richard Griffin, Brick Nelson, and Horace Hutto, to form a committee to formulate a planning and zoning commission for Jones County. This committee laid the groundwork for the present Jones County Planning and Zoning Board. Freeman was chairman during his tenure. He was a member of the Macon Lions Club for over 25 years and each of those years, participated in the Lions Club charity effort, which was sight conservation, the prevention and remedy for blindness. Their major fundraiser was the annual Lions Club Broom Sale, wherein, they took to the residential streets and all Lions shouldered their brooms and marched into their territory to sell them for a good cause. Professionally, Freeman was an architect and had the opportunity to work on many well-known buildings in the area. He loved his work and tried to serve his profession well. He was a past president of the Middle Georgia Chapter of the American Institute. He was a charter member of River North/Healy Point Country Club, and had a love for golf. He was also an avid reader and enjoyed woodworking in his makeshift garage/workshop. These were his enjoyable hobbies but his real joy in life was his family. The love of his life for over 60 years, was his wife, Betty, who was in poor health later in her life, during which, he tenderly and lovingly cared for her. His children and grandchildren were also a source of pride. He considered his life's principal blessing that he was able to live long enough to see them grow up and mature into worthy and responsible citizens. He always said he could leave this life in peace, leaving such a legacy. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Betty Beck Henderson, his father, Shelton Lafayette Henderson, and his mother, Nora Watson Henderson. Mr. Henderson James is survived by his children, Julie Henderson Henderson (Herald/Sam), Jill Henderson Quinn (Jim), and James Freeman Henderson, Jr. (Julie); grandchildren, Samuel Herald Henderson III (Jeremy), Michael Freeman Henderson, Whitney Stahl Akom (Brian), Anna Henderson Crook (Robert), and James Freeman Henderson III; great-grandchildren, Lawson West Akom and Hollins Charlotte Akom. Please visit online at www.hartsmort.com to sign the online registry. Hart's Mortuary at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.