Dr. Ronald E. Henderson

A tenant farmer’s son, a gifted physician, a cattle farmer. A visionary, entrepreneur, CEO, author, and pilot. A life-long learner, mentor and lover of people and country. A husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. Certainly, this list only begins to describe the man he was. He was so much to so many. He looked for the best in people and was willing to give anyone a chance. He was passionate, driven, confident, and relentless in his pursuit of excellence—whatever the goal.

Born July 28, 1937, to William Earl Henderson and Sara Ellen Dillard Henderson of Prattville, AL, he was the oldest of three sons. Beginning at age five, he worked shoulder to shoulder with his family, growing and picking cotton and other crops. Encouraged by the local physician, he was the first of his family to attend college. He enrolled at the University of Alabama in 1955 with the goal of becoming a physician. After three years of undergraduate work, he was accepted to and attended the University of Alabama School of Medicine by means of what is now known as the Rural Medicine State Scholarship.

Having secured the state scholarship, he married his high school sweetheart, Beth Ann Summerville on June 28, 1958. With what few possessions they had, they moved to Birmingham and rented a furnished apartment close to the University Hospital. Beth took a job with Alabama Gas Corporation to support them.

Graduating number one in his class of 1962, he completed an internship at Hillman Hospital under the likes of Dr. Tinsley Harrison (internal medicine) and Dr. Champ Lyons (surgery). He, along with his wife and daughter (Rhonda Henderson Powell), moved to Gordo, AL, where he practiced general/family medicine for two years. As the only physician in the area, he cared for all comers—often refusing payment and more often receiving fresh eggs, vegetables, and homemade meals from the grateful community. While in Gordo, he and Beth welcomed their second daughter (Ellen Henderson Dover).

After two years of general medicine, Dr. Henderson chose to specialize in Obstetrics and Gynecology. His son, William Eric Henderson, was born during that time. Following residency at University Hospital in Birmingham, he began private practice at St. Vincent’s Hospital in 1968.

Though OB/Gyn is a demanding specialty, Dr. Henderson’s energy and vision pushed him to be a force for change, not only at the local level, but also at the state and national levels. He never tired in his pursuit to improve the healthcare of his patients and of the healthcare system as a whole.

It would be impossible to list all of the positive contributions that he made, not only in medicine, but in the community, in philanthropy, and in the cattle industry. He was a founding member of Henderson & Walton Women’s Center, Mutual Assurance Society of Alabama (ProAssurance), Birmingham Surgery Center, Southeast Health Plan, Medisphere Corporation, the Alabama Chapter of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, and Twin Valley Farms, LLC.

Never tiring, never defeated, he overcame some incredible challenges in his lifetime. At the age of 37, he suffered a near fatal car wreck. At the age of 57, he was diagnosed with generalized Myasthenia Gravis which forced him to retire from medicine. After several years of intense treatment, he was fortunate to enjoy full remission, for which he gave God the credit. Once in remission and looking for “another hill to climb”, he became a clinical professor of Gynecology at UABSOM.

Dr. Henderson—Ron—was a man of many accomplishments. Through them all, there was one person without whom none would have been possible. His wife, Beth, was beside him through the ups and downs, and always supported, always comforted, and always loved him. He would be the first to tell you how beautiful and kind she is, and what a wonderful wife she has been to him. She was his “lovely lady”, and he loved her well.

“Papa” to his grandchildren, Dr. Henderson lived by “The Five F’s”: Faith, Family, Friends, Fitness, and Finance. Later, his granddaughter, Katie, added a sixth “F”— “Farm”—in honor of the family farm that he and Mrs. Henderson purchased in 1970. Now Twin Valley Farms outside of Prattville, the farm was a retreat from the demands of medical practice in the early years, as well as a working cattle ranch. More than anything, the farm was and still is a place for family to come together. Papa was never as content as he was at the farm surrounded by his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Gerald Henderson.

He is survived by his wife of almost 67 years, Beth Summerville Henderson; Children: Rhonda Henderson Powell (Tom), Ellen Henderson Dover (Jim), and William (Bill) Eric Henderson (Lyn); Grandchildren: Matthew Thomas Powell (Molly), Lauren Henderson Remley (Spencer), Caroline Elizabeth Powell, Katherine (Katie) Henderson Outz (Dalton), James Ronald Dover, and Margaret (Maggie) Ann Dover; Great-granddaughter: Anne Peyton Remley, and future great-grandson Remley arriving in August; Brother: Thomas Elbert Henderson (Barbara); and multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Friends are cordially invited to the visitation with family on Monday, the 15th of April from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. in Hudson Hall at Mountain Brook Baptist Church. The church is located at 3631 Montevallo Road, Mountain Brook, Alabama 35213.

Friends are also invited to a visitation on Friday, the 19th of April, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. It will be held at The Barn at Twin Valley located at 139 County Road 41, Prattville, Alabama 36067.

Graveside services at Oak Hill Cemetery in Prattville, Alabama will be held privately for the family.

In lieu of usual remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions honoring the life of Dr. Henderson be directed to Mountain Brook Baptist Church.

Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (205.879.3401) in Homewood.