Derucie Henry

Derucie Henry was born on July 21, 1923 on the Pitts Cheshier farm in McNairy County, Tennessee to the late Samuel Logan and Ola Bell Lain Henry. He attended elementary school mostly at Old Purdy and Old Liberty and was a graduate of Bethel Springs High School. He was inducted into the United States Navy on April 3, 1943 and trained at the U. S. Naval training station in Bainbridge, Maryland. He was assigned to the USS Nevada where he remained for the duration of World War II serving in the European and Pacific Theaters. He was discharged as a Radioman Third Class on February 11, 1946. Derucie married Jo Ann Powers on February 7, 1947. They made quite a team; sharing the good, the bad, and everything in between for 54 years. Mrs. Henry preceded him in death on July 7, 2001. Mr. Henry attended Lambuth College receiving a B. S. Degree in History. He began a teaching career at Bethel Springs High School in 1950 and taught until 1963 when he went to work for the State of Tennessee Human Services Department. He held several assignments with Human Services including County Director in Hardin County and Supervisor in Madison County. Upon retirement, he returned to teaching, working regularly as a substitute and influencing the lives of numerous young people. Mr. Henry departed this life on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 in Selmer at the age of 86 years, 11 months, 2 days. He was a member of Bethel Springs Presbyterian Church, the USS Nevada Alumni Association, McNairy County Retired Teachers Association, State of Tennessee Retired Social Workers, The Gideon's International, The American Legion, and Purdy Masonic Lodge #132. Mr. Henry is survived by a daughter, Beth Henry Ray of Henderson, Tennessee; three sons, Sammy Scott Henry and wife Betty Ann of Bethel Springs, Tennessee, Tim Henry and wife Janie of Selmer, Tennessee, and W. Todd Henry of Nashville, Tennessee; 6 grandchildren, Jennifer Yancey, Tammy Henry, Jeremy Henry (Danielle), Christopher Ray, Jana Henry Bowen (Jeremy), and Jonathan Ray; 3 great-grandchildren, Jamie Yancey, Mary Logan Yancey, and Aubrey Marie Henry; a brother, Norman Henry of Jackson, Tennessee; a sister-in-law, Johnnie Powers; a brother-in-law, Bobby Harris; and a host of other relatives and friends. Other than his wife and parents, Derucie was also preceded in death by four brothers: O. G. Henry and wife Helen, Sardie Henry and wife Eunice Mae, Erby Henry and wife Eunice, and J. T. Henry; two nieces, and a nephew. Funeral services were on Friday, June 25, 2010, 11:00 AM, at Shackelford Funeral Directors Chapel of Selmer with Dr. Larry Sizemore officiating. Interment followed in New Salem Cemetery near Bethel Springs. Pallbearers were Matthew Henry, Jeremy Henry, Christopher Ray, Jeremy Bowen, Jonathan Ray, and Jamie Yancey. Nephews were honorary pallbearers.