Ray Gentry Henderson

Ray Holland Gentry Henderson lived her life giving to others. She passed away on April 2, 2023 at National Health Care in Greenville at the age of 98. She was born in Greenville on October 22, 1924 to Oressa Wilburn and Daniel Homer Gentry. She was predeceased by her six siblings: Daniel, Doris, Dot, Wiltrice, Mary and James.

Ray Holland often lamented her name. It was the blend of her maternal grandmother’s name, Theodosia Ray Wilburn, and her paternal grandmother’s name, Martha Jane Holland Gentry. She would jest that it put her into the boys’ gym class in school. But she came to realize the blend of the grandmothers’ maiden names was a special gift from her parents.

Ray graduated from Mauldin High School in 1941 and attended Draughon’s Business College where she studied bookkeeping, typing and shorthand. She worked for Henry Simpson of Belk Simpson and for Reys Jewelers.

In 1944, her late husband, Herbert Guy Henderson returned to Greenville after serving in the Army Air Corps. He was stationed in England and flew missions over France, Belgium, and Germany. The couple married in 1945 and Ray joined him in Biloxi, Mississippi as he completed his Army Air Corps service. They returned to Greenville in 1946. They were married for 56 years until his death in 2001.

While raising their daughter, Susan, Ray was a full-time homemaker. Later she studied with H & R Block to become a tax preparer. This led to her position in Problems Resolution with the Internal Revenue Service, from which she retired.

Ray and Herb spent most of their married life in Mauldin, SC. They were active in church work and community service. Ray was especially interested in sewing and crocheting for the Children’s Hospital in Greenville. She also volunteered with the Reach to Recovery program for breast cancer survivors and the POPS program for school children at the Peace Center in Greenville. She held a special regard for the police and firemen in Mauldin, often bringing cookies and snacks. She was active in Mauldin politics. She co-authored a Mauldin City Cookbook and was a supporter of the Downtown Airport Children’s Playground.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Henderson Poss; granddaughter, Katherine; great grandson, Edward and many nieces and nephews.

The family sincerely thanks the staff at NHC Greenville for all their kindness and exceptional care during Mrs. Henderson’s stay. They became our extended family.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Salvation Army in Greenville in remembrance of Mrs. Ray G. Henderson, The Salvation Army of Greenville Command, PO Box 1237, Greenville SC 29602.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 3:00pm. The family will receive friends at 2:00pm. Reverend Joanne Hull will be officiating. Mackey Mortuary, Century Drive is serving the Henderson family.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mackeycenturydrive.com for the Henderson family.