| Sources |
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 15 May 2008.
At 101, SCHCC resident earns her place in Who's Who registry
SEVIERVILLE - Bertha Mae Lawson Henderson may have retired 36 years ago after a career teaching school, but she didn't give up teaching piano lessons until this past January - the month she turned 101.
Henderson, a resident of Sevier County Health Care Center, has been honored by Who's Who in Tennessee Nursing Homes. Each year the Tennessee Health Care Association, which was founded in 1947 to help maintain high standards of long-term care facilities in the state, recognizes individuals with the Who's Who award.
"They're good to me here," said Henderson, who arrived at SCHCC in February. "It's a good place to be if you can't be at home."
The Wears Valley native taught school in Sevier County for 40 years after graduating cum laude from Maryville College in 1931. She paid for her education by waitressing and working at the Maryville College Maid Shop, where hospital garments were made and sold.
Henderson remembers that during her first years of teaching, it was difficult for children to travel to school, especially during winter months. There were mainly dirt roads with huge ruts, and many children came by horse or mule-drawn wagons. Even families who owned cars found they often could not drive on the roads.
"I've taught everything," she said. "I taught first grade for 15 years."
"And she had second grade when I had third grade at New Center in 1955," added friend Ruby Howard.
Henderson was also the pianist and treasurer at Murphy's Chapel United Methodist Church until she came to live at the nursing home.
Veryl Henderson said she believed that keeping busy has helped her sister-in-law live a long and prosperous life.
"She survived a bout with cancer last year," she said.
The two women married brothers and have been close since Veryl joined the family in 1948. Bertha was married to Granville Henderson for 58 years before he died in 1994. When she's not playing the piano, the former teacher also enjoys reading, gardening and needlework.
Sevierville Mayor Bryan Atchley, administrator at the center, was on hand to congratulate Henderson.
"Here are a dozen roses, almost as pretty as you are," Atchley said. "Maybe you can teach us a few things around here."
- [S80] Rawlings Funeral Home, (http://www.rawlingsfuneralhome.com/), 17 Feb 2012.
(January 15, 1907 - February 17, 2012)
Bertha Mae Lawson Henderson age, 105 of Sevierville, TN. passed away February 17, 2012 at Sevier County Health Care Center.
Bertha was a member of Murphy’s Chapel United Methodist Church where she served as Pianoist, Teacher, and treasurer and served in those positions as long as health permitted.
She was a graduate of Wearwood Elementary School, Murphy Collegeiate Institute and Maryville College.
She was a retired teacher, having taught at Wearwood, Pittman Center, Roberts, Caton’s Chapel, Walnut Grove and New Center. She taught piano following retirement.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John W. and Ida Wayland Lawson; her husband, Granville Henderson; brother-in-law A.T. Henderson, Jr.
She is survived by sister-in-law, Veryl Henderson; niece Sherry Huskey and husband, Charles Ray; nephews, Jim Henderson and wife, Carrie; Gary Henderson; cousins and many friends. The family would like to say a special thank you to the staff at Sevier County Health Care Center for the love and care they showed Bertha.
Services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, February 18, 2012 at Rawlings Funeral Home in Sevierville with Rev. Fred Heard officiating.
Family and friends will meet at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, February 19, 2012 in Middle Creek Cemetery for interment.
The family will receive friends 5:00-7:00 P.M. Saturday, February 18, at Rawlings.
www.rawlingsfuneralhome.com
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