James "Jimi" David Henderson

Visitation with family will begin at 1:30 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 4:00 p.m. on March 8 at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl.

Jimbo was born in Jackson on May 20, 1954, the third child of T. W. and Beatrice Henderson. He grew up in Pearl, graduating from Pearl-McLaurin High School in 1972. In his early years he made a profession of faith and was baptized at First Baptist Church of Pearl. At age 11, he began playing the guitar under the guidance and instruction of his father, the most important musical influence in his life. After high school, Jim was recruited by Butch Stone Management to play with Ruby Starr, and one year later joined Black Oak Arkansas and began touring the world as guitarist. After the break up of Black Oak, Jim worked in Champaign, Illinois, and then Los Angeles until returning to Jackson in 2000. In the late 1990s, Jimi’s interests shifted to music composition and keyboards, further expanding his remarkable musical talent. In Jackson he became lead guitarist and music director for blues legend Dorothy Moore. During his career, he appeared on over twenty records and albums as guitarist, composer, and arranger.

Jim loved his family devotedly and took care of his parents for the last several years, while continuing to perform and work. He is preceded in death by his father, the Reverend T. W. Henderson, and survived by his mother, Beatrice Henderson, Pearl; brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Tommye Henderson, Clinton; sister and brother-in-law, Cecelia and Ray Burgess, Pearl; nephew Josh Little, Pearl; nieces Corley Henderson, Clinton, Hollye Henderson, Jackson, and Finn Little, Pearl.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the American Heart Association or another charity of choice.