Obituary: Bobby Henderson, Sr.
Bobby Henderson, Sr., 89, of Bolivar, departed this life Sunday morning, November 9, 2025, at Bolivar Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Bobby was born November 7, 1936, in Middleton, Tennessee to Leland and Annie Rixie Henderson. He was the third of five children.
After graduating high school, Bobby worked on the family farm and also helped with the building of Roger Springs Lake, before moving to Memphis in 1957 to work at Leonard’s BBQ. This is where his interest in refrigeration began. While working as a night manager at Leonard’s, he enrolled in Memphis Vo-Tech.
He met Dorothy in 1957, and their first date was the Mid South Fair. They married the following year on June 2, 1958. Bobby and Dorothy had two sons, Bobby and Michael. He also enjoyed coming home on weekends to help his dad plant and gather crops.
Bobby and Dorothy both worked for Faye Rogers Refrigeration in Memphis before moving back to Hardeman County in 1974 to Bolivar and starting his own heating and air business. Dorothy worked alongside Bobby in the family business until she retired in 2000.
Bobby and MIchael had they privilege of working with their dad over 30 years before he retired in 2013. During his 40 plus years, he served as Refrigeration Service Engineer Society (RSES) president. As a member, he and Dorothy did quite a bit of traveling.
Bobby served as a deacon of First Baptist Church (FBC) and was active in many ministries. They also traveled with the FBC Keenagers. It was told that while traveling, Bobby would tell jokes during these trips, which surprised many of the people, given the fact he was so quiet.
Bobby and Dorothy lived a wonderful life together, blending their church faith, family, and business throughout the years.
Chapel services will be at Shackelford Funeral Directors on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 11 a.m. in Bolivar with the burial in Bolivar Memorial Cemetery.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Bobby Henderson (Mary) and Michael Henderson (Cindy), all of Bolivar; a brother, Raymond Vernon Henderson (Joan) of Middleton; three sisters, Annie Pearl Orman of Middleton, Dorris Medlin of Alexandria, Virginia, and Bonnie Callahan of Middleton; four grandchildren, Lauren Massey (Nick), Casey Henderson (Laura Anne), Dylan Henderson (Caroline), and Jacob Henderson (Lori); and eight great grandchildren, Julia and Colton Massey, Olivia and Heath Henderson, Brantly Crawford, Isabella McCaskill, Curtis Lee Henderson, and Loxley Ann Henderson. Memorial contributions in his name may be sent to First Baptist Church Homebound Ministry or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Courtesy of Shackelford Funeral Directors, Bolivar, Tennessee.
Read more obituaries by clicking here.
Stay informed on what’s happening in Hardeman County by following Hatchie Press on Facebook and subscribing to Hatchie Press e-mail updates.
