Olivette Washington Henderson was born on February 4, 1931, to Sylvester Washington and Hattie Mae Washington in Mobile, Alabama. Olivette accepted Christ at an early age and join Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Olivette was always smart. She graduated high school at the age of sixteen. Although she did not immediately go to college, she later obtained a degree in Theology from Selma University, and taught many Mobile ministers in the Selma University’s Mobile program. She obtained a degree in Photography from Faulkner Junior College at the young age of sixty-three.

She married the love of her life, Henry J. Henderson in 1947. In 1956, they moved to the Trinity Gardens Community, where they raised their family. Olivette moved her membership to Mt. Zion Baptist Church #2. Henry became the pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church #2 in 1985, and Olivette was the epitome of a “First Lady,” assisting in various ministries of the church to include choir and the Missionary Society. After Henry’s death, Olivette returned to home church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor McCree. It was as if Olivette never left. She came in working, and until her illness, faithfully served as an Adult Sunday School Teacher, Women Missionary President, Member of the Senior Choir, and wherever she could assist.

In the community, Olivette’s beautiful spirit shined. She served as the President of the Trinity Gardens Civic Club until her stroke in 2012. Under her leadership, Olivette was instrumental in the progress of the community. In fact, before the Trinity Gardens Civic Club was officially formed, she led the petition to get underground sewer services. Olivette was an active member of the Free and Accepted York Rite Masons, U.S. Compact. Her membership started with the Eastern Stars, and she ascended to the highest office of the Heroines of Jericho serving as the National Most Ancient Matron for the Heroines of Jericho for six years. She wrote many plays and developed training sessions, many of which are still used today. Under Olivette’s leadership, the organization grew and became solvent with the publication of the “Som’ Tee” (Something to Eat) Cookbook, which was a compilation of favorite recipes from members across the United States. The recipes are still used today and contains Olivette’s famous Red Velvet Cake Recipe. Olivette was also a member of numerous other community organizations to include the Bay Area Women Coalition, Inc., and the National Council of Negro Women.

Olivette held many jobs over her lifetime. She believed in doing her best whether she was cleaning houses as young lady to designing and sewing clothing as an independent seamstress. There was nothing Olivette could not do with her hands. Olivette was hired as one of the first black female aircraft electricians, where she wired airplanes for the U.S. Navy for thirty-three years before retiring. In retirement, Olivette’s love for the foster child program turned into employment. For ten years, she trained foster parents traveling across Alabama.

When Olivette was not working, she could be found working in her yard or enjoying water aerobics, when she was not traveling the world or shopping locally at her favorite store, “Dirt Cheap.” Olivette love for family expanded her definition. She opened her home to help raise nieces, nephews, and a host of foster children. She touched so many young lives from the young men in her Cub and Boy Scout Troops to the kids who played in her backyard. There was no limit to her love.

Olivette was preceded in death by her parents: Sylvester and Hattie Washington; her husband: Rev. Henry J. Henderson Sr.; son: William Lee Henderson; and her brother: James Stafford.

She leaves to cherish her memory four sons: Henry Henderson, Jr. (Betty), George Henderson, Sr. (Rita), Leslie Henderson (Autrey), Daniel Henderson, Sr. (Darlene), all of Mobile, AL; one birth daughter: Yvonne (Annette) Saxon (Wendell) of Wetumpka, AL; one sister: Icola Ellis, Los Angeles, CA; brother-in-law: Kenneth Henderson; daughter-in-law: Leara Henderson; two daughters of love: Georgia Cox, Houston, TX and Michaela Simon, Mobile, AL; a devoted granddaughter: Joycelyn Henderson; three devoted great grandsons: Henry Henderson, III, Tony Henderson, and Joshua Glenn; a devoted friend: Corrie Ann Battle; twenty-six grandchildren; forty-eight great grandchildren; twenty-one great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews, all who will forever cherish her love and memory.

Her remains will lie in state on Friday, August 3, 2018 from 1-8pm at Small’s Mortuary, Mobile, Alabama.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 4, 2018 from 9:00am until the 10:30am “Homegoing Celebration” at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1012 Adams Street – Mobile, AL. Interment will follow in Lawn Haven Cemetery, Theodore, AL.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinitry Gardens Civic Club or Bay Area Women's Coalition (P.O. Box 13277, Mobile, Alabama 36613)

DIGNIFIED AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO SMALL'S MORTUARY, 950 S. BROAD ST., MOBILE, AL, 36603.

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