Obituary of Henderson Anderson, Jr.
"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I
have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also
that love his appearing."
II Timothy 4:6-8
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Henderson Jr., was born in Pineville, Louisiana on August 20, 1948 to the late Henderson J.
Anderson, Sr. and Audrey Johnson Anderson, the oldest of three siblings. He departed this life on
October 24, 2017 at Antelope Valley Hospital, in Lancaster, CA. To his family he was a faithful,
devoted and loving son, husband, father, brother, uncle and cousin; affectionately called "Jr." and
"Rock" by the folks in Alexandria, Louisiana. To other relatives, neighbors, friends and all who came
in contact with him, he possessed a heart full of love, service, commitment and sacrifice.
He was never too tired to help someone in need. In fact, family endorsed him in all his endeavors.
Following the Christian leadership of his mother and father, Henderson accepted Christ as his
personal Savior and was baptized and united with Rose of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church,
Alexandria, LA at an early age, under the leadership of the late Rev. W.A. White. He attended
Sunday School, sung in the choir and worked all around the church as needed. He continued to hold
ties to Rose of Sharon with support and contributions until his death. Upon moving to California he
united with the Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, later in life he was attending and
supported Sure Word Ministries International under the leadership of Dr. William Martin and often
visited The Growing Valley Baptist Church, Pastor Jacob D.R. Johnson.
Henderson was educated in Rapides Parish and graduated from Peabody High School, class of
(1966), Bachelor of Arts, Political Science; Southern University; Baton Rouge, LA (1970), Teaching
Credential, California State University, Los Angeles, CA (1975) and Master in Education and
Administrative Credential, California State University, Bakersfield, CA (1999).
He was united in holy matrimony to Barbara Howard-Anderson on August 20, 1970 and to this
union two beautiful children were born.
Henderson worked over forty years increasing responsibility and achievements, successfully
managing and developing in the field of education. He has been Principal of Alternative Education,
Juvenile Delinquent Program for the Los Angeles County Office of Education, served as Assistant
Principal in Special Education and Coordinator and has taught in the Juvenile Court School Program
with wards of the court and a Professor for Chapman University. He has served on the Board of
Directors of the Rising Star College Bound Program in the Antelope Valley and works as
Educational Consultant. He retired as Principal of Challenger Memorial Youth Center in 2010
providing direct instruction for six hundred juvenile offenders with one hundred twenty staff
comprising certificated, classified and administrative staff. Before his illness he was currently
working with the Educational Consultant, Administrative Hearing Officer/School Attendance
Review Board, AV– NAACP and Rising Star College Program. He served as Polemarch/Exchequer
for Kappa Alpha Psi of the Lancaster/Palmdale Alumni Chapter- providing scholarships for students
in the Antelope Valley, 2001 – 2007. A few of his awards included: JCCS – Teacher of the Year
(twice), Challenger PAU – Teacher of the Year, Who Award, California Teachers Association and
Kappa Alpha Psi (Polemarch/Exchequer Service Award). Henderson received a County of Los
Angeles Commendation by the Mayor of Los Angeles County - Michael D. Antonovich. It was in
recognition of the following below: "Incoming Principal, Challenger Memorial Youth Center 2006
Academic Bowl Champions, Los Angeles County of Education, Division of Juvenile court
and Community Schools".
Preceding him in death were his grandparents, father and mother, sister, Rosalind A. Newell, step
brother, Craig Anderson, aunt, Helen Anderson, uncles, Louis Jones and George Anderson, brother-inlaw,
Charles D. King and blended family: Bobbie J. Anderson and Eleanor Anderson.
He leaves to cherish his memory: A dedicated and loving wife of 47 years Barbara Howard-
Anderson, two devoted and loving children: son, Idanre Jerome Anderson (Shawnte) Gardena, CA,
daughter, LaDwan Monique Anderson, devoted and loving sister, Linda Anderson King, Alexandria,
LA, two wonderful granddaughters: Mia Laina Anderson and Ayani Kara Anderson, Torrance, CA,
one brother-in-law, Theodore Newell, Sr., Alexandria, LA, one Nephew Theodore Newell, Jr. (Ashley)
Pasadena, MD, a special cousin, Yvonne Page, Inglewood, CA, two goddaughters: Chaunte King,
Corona, CA, and Melanie Sturdivant, Hawthorne, CA, blended family: 1 aunt, Lessie Justice,
Alexandria, LA, Shirley Ford of Los Angeles, CA and Eola Harvey of Chicago, Ill and a host of
nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends. Special friends: Kappa Brothers and his Rising Star and
NAACP families.
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