R.I.P. Cecil Henderson

April 9, 2009

Katie Rollins The Richmond Register Thu Apr 09, 2009, 09:50 AM EDT

Hello readers.

I was hesitant about even doing a column this week as it has been a sad time all around and when you have a lot on your mind, it’s hard to think straight. Just today, Doug learned that his Uncle Floyd Rollins, or “Fleuter” as he liked to be called, passed away on Sunday and will be laid to rest on Tuesday in the Richmond Cemetery.

Then, we both had some sad news when we found that my dear friend Cecil Henderson also had passed on. It’s very difficult for me to talk about Cecil without a break in my voice. He was a fine gentleman, if not the finest in all of Paint Lick. Just knowing him and his being my neighbor for more than 30 years was an honor.

We had many laughs and he shared numerous stories about his life and also that of everyone else. Cecil was a great storyteller and I cannot count the times I have sat in his home or on that big porch in front of the house and just listened. He was that good. He loved being the center of your attention and would not have anyone upset or seemingly bored by his actions or words, often telling me, “I better let you go. I know you’re busy in all.” And Lord, the vegetables that he gave me, why, it was amazing, especially the tomatoes. He’d call me and say, “They’ll just be throwed out and I can’t eat em all.” He loved mashed potatoes and peas, cushaw with brown sugar syrup and homemade biscuits and fried apples and I would take him a plate now and then just to find that he’d usually have something waiting for me in return.

I never did feel sorry for a man that could take care of his wife the way Cecil cared for Etta. She was his life. I think I got to know Cecil shortly after Mrs. Henderson passed away and it’s funny, but I can’t recall our first meeting, except to say, I’d see him down at Uncle Tom’s Grocery (now Rick’s Diner) and he’d always have some sort of remark on how high everything was getting to be. Then, Cecil would grin and say “Why, I don’t guess it matters, no way, a body has to eat.”

I’ll never forget the many reviews that he gave me to be edited in The Paint Lick Reflections magazine. He knew everything about everybody and every story became a part of his life. I have been writing this column now for more than 12 years and he always looked forward to my news, often calling me when my column didn’t run for a particular week. The memories that I have of Cecil Henderson will never leave my mind and as I sit here and do this news column for the week, I wonder if he knew how very much I admired him. Paint Lick has lost a fine man and I’ve lost a friend. They don’t make ‘em like him anymore. You’ve often heard that said, I know. But I know, for l was blessed. He was one in a million.

I am also asking for prayers for someone very dear to my heart yet again. My neighbor RenaVae Callahan is very ill. Please keep her in your thoughts as you pray this evening. So this past week has been a hard one for me.

It’s Maundy Thursday at Paint Lick Christian Church this week, starting at 7 p.m. Then, Good Friday services will be conducted at 7 p.m. at Fairview Christian. Everyone is welcome to come and share in the joyous times this Easter weekend. An Easter egg hunt is planned for this Saturday at Paint Lick Christian starting at 3 p.m. On the blessed Sunday morning of Easter, you may find sunrise services at most all churches here in Paint Lick and that will usually start around 7 a.m.

The Paint Lick Christian Church will be enjoying a big Sunday breakfast and everyone is encouraged to come and bring your favorite breakfast item. We will begin cooking at 7:30. Please stay with us during the morning and attend special Easter services at 11 a.m.

May God bless.

Text Only

Lifestyles & Community

We are heirs and joint-heirs to His kingdom
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. — Rom 8:14-19

May 18, 2012 1 Photo
How little exercise is necessary for good health?
How little exercise is necessary for good health?
That question was the subject of a recent investigation by a team of exercise scientists at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and the answer seems to be a lot less than we might think, as long as we’re willing to put in the effort.

May 12, 2012 1 Photo
A mother’s love never stops
A mothers love will always be there. Even when everyone else stops to rest, her love for her family continues. She is always working, carring and sharing what she has with her children, even if she has to do without for herself.

May 11, 2012 1 Photo
Start planting your hot weather vegetables now

Hopefully, the unusual spate of unseasonably warm weather we had earlier this spring did not fool you, and you’ve been patiently waiting to get your hot weather veggies, such as tomatoes and peppers, into your summer vegetable garden.

Now is a good time to start planting these delectable goodies.

May 7, 2012
Rethinking the benefits of crunches
I’ve been doing crunches all my adult life and it may be one of the reasons I have back problems. Research from the University of Waterloo in Ontario has found that repeated bending of the spine, such as occurs when doing crunches, can contribute over time to damage of spinal discs. The results are presented — along with a lot of other useful information — in the book, “Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance” by Stuart McGill.

May 5, 2012 1 Photo
Is 401(k) good for America?
Internal Revenue Code section 401(k) is the only section of the US tax code that average people can cite.
They know it has something to do with whether or not they can retire with dignity. Or retire at all.

May 5, 2012 1 Photo
He is there when you need Him
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. — Psalm 139:7-10

May 4, 2012 1 Photo
It’s tough to be old
I was just thinking the other day about how tough it is to be old. We seniors have so many things to contend with. One of the first things is our memory, or perhaps I should say our lack of memory. I’ve often thought it is easier for us to remember things that happened to us when we were kids than to remember what we had for lunch yesterday. Names are hard to recall. It is embarrassing to meet someone who is familiar and we are certain we should know them, but simply cannot remember their name. In a conversation with a friend, to talk about a former friend but neither of you are able to recall their name.

May 1, 2012 1 Photo
McCreary’s second term
Between the end of Madison countian James B. McCreary’s first term in 1879 and the beginning of his second term in 1911, a lot happened in Kentucky.
Democrats continued to dominates state politics, as they did Madison County politics. But, the Republicans did break through to take control of the state government once or twice. Of course, that depends on how you interpret the whole, now-infamous Taylor-Goebel affair.

May 1, 2012 1 Photo
Officers elected for Post 12, auxiliary
The Richmond American Legion Post 12 and its auxiliary elected officers on April 12.

April 30, 2012 2 Photos
More Lifestyles & Community Headlines

Lifestyles & Community

Search Results

R.I.P. Cecil Henderson

A recent health ranking listed Madison County as the 20th healthiest county in the state. It measured factors such as exercise, access to health care and smoking. Do you smoke cigarettes?

Site Map