Shirley Jean Henderson

WEAVERVILLE - Shirley Jean Henderson went to her heavenly home on April 18, 2026.

As the oldest child of a family of six children in Madison County, NC, Shirley was born with a heart that was set on loving and caring for those around her. Born on November 24, 1936, Shirley spent her early years in Foster before her family moved to Asheville at age 8, where her father worked in the Sayles Bleachery his entire career. At 18 years old Shirley married Ray Henderson and they began planting seeds that would eventually grow into a garden full of service, love, hard work, and joy. With seeds planted deep in her beloved Blue Ridge Mountains and a deep love of family Shirley spent the remainder of her years cultivating a life rooted in love and stewardship, tending a home, and caring for all that God had given her with a contented heart and sweet outlook. This legacy has left its mark on generations of children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who know that service to the Lord, their families, and their communities are the markers of a life well lived.

Shirley spent her career in Asheville City Schools as a bookkeeper. A faithful worker, Shirley was dependable, honest, and kind to everyone she met but her true life flourished in her home. She became a mother to her oldest, Mike, in 1957 and eight years later welcomed their daughter, Joy, to their family. Shirley loved being a mother and she and Ray, a homebuilder and woodworker, spent their lives building homes both out of raw materials, like wood and brick, and also out of soul materials like love and dedication.

Anyone who went to Shirley’s home knew that it was going to be immaculately clean and they would be looking forward to a meal sure to have sides straight from the garden, canned green beans, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and anything else God’s earth provided. Or, if you were really lucky, a meal of pinto beans and cornbread with a tall glass of milk on the side, a family favorite. No matter what was on the table, it was the people around the table that truly filled her heart.

As the years passed Shirley’s names shifted from daughter and sister, to wife and mother and then, eventually with the birth of their oldest grandson, Wesley, to mamaw-a title she was known by for the rest of her life. Eventually becoming the best mamaw to five grandchildren and a gaggle of great grandchildren who brought her endless amounts of laughter over the years. She filled her grandchildren with sweets (always an ice cream sandwich at the ready), stories of “the olden days,” and a love of God and all that His earth could provide from the beauty of flowers to the deliciousness of a fresh tomato fresh from the garden.

When Shirley passed from her home, her favorite place to be, to her heavenly home she was greeted by her parents, Olsen and Venia Griffin, her beloved husband of 57 years Ray Henderson, her younger brother Robert, “Bob” Griffin. She is survived by her son, Michael D. Henderson and his wife Debbie Garrison Henderson; her daughter, Joy H. Odom and husband Richard Odom; brother, Bud Griffin and wife Imogene; sister, Betty Jo Pressley and husband Burton; brother, Bill Griffin and wife Sandy; sister, Sherry Dotson; five grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Four Seasons Hospice for their kindness, knowledge, and gentle care for the last few weeks of Shirley’s life. They were truly a God send to our family during a very difficult time.

Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Oakley Baptist Church, 70 Fairview Rd., Asheville, NC 28803, with Rev. Dr. Richard Odom and Rev. Wesley Henderson officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, 10 Cypress St., Asheville.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Oakley Baptist Church, 70 Fairview Rd., Asheville, NC 28803.