Generation 8 Benjamin Berry Henderson Sr.
- Born
- May 28, 1930, Raleigh, North Carolina
- Died
- June 6, 2020, Raleigh, North Carolina
- Married
- Jean Jones Henderson
- Parents
- Jesse Clyde Henderson and Sally Malena Berry
A Life Well Lived#
Ben Henderson was a wonderful father, husband, and brother. He loved his family and knew how to make everyone he knew feel loved. The genealogical community for Berrys and Hendersons lost a valued and cherished member when he passed away on June 6, 2020, at the age of 90.
Ben was born on Wednesday, May 28, 1930, in Dr. Thomas Meredith’s plantation home — a house built before the Civil War. Dr. Meredith founded the women’s college known as Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was the son of the late Clyde and Malena Berry Henderson.
Ben served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, and returned to Raleigh to attend North Carolina State University. He went on to have a 30-year career with Westinghouse in Raleigh, and later worked for CP&L.
The Berry Tree#
During retirement, Ben accomplished many goals and made many new friends and connections while researching his family tree. He created the berrytree.org website and a blog so that all the relatives could keep in touch.
One of his biggest accomplishments was writing and self-publishing a genealogy book entitled Our Berrys in Frontier America. Through this work, Ben discovered cousins as far away as California and throughout the United States — and these connections were a great joy in his life.
Ben began researching the Berry family in 1997, after a visit to Texas where he learned about Ancestry.com from his wife’s college roommate’s husband. That spark led to 20 years of dedicated research, uncovering family connections that had been lost for generations.
“I only knew a little about my great grandfather, John Robert Berry, when I subscribed to Ancestry.com myself. I am now 87 years old and decided to add my life story to my web page berrytree.org.” — Ben Henderson
Family
Ben is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jean Jones Henderson, his sister Barbara Jacobs, his three children — Brenda Yates (Randy), Benjamin Berry Henderson Jr. (Seo Young), and Aaron Henderson (Beth) — and two stepchildren, Macon Jones (Linda) and Beth Robbins (Mark). He is also survived by eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Jamie Lynn McLeod.
His Berry Lineage
- Roger Williamson and Ann Foster
- Richard Williamson and Mary Kemp (daughter of George Kemp and Mary Hutchinson)
- Mary Williamson and Robert Berry
- Robert Berry and Elizabeth Cate
- William Berry and Hannah Cate
- Thomas Person Berry and Sarah Lunsford
- John Robert Berry and Elizabeth Frances Bowling
- Wiley P. Berry and Ida Ann Wilson
- Sally Malena Berry and Jesse Clyde Henderson
- Benjamin Berry Henderson Sr.
Photographs
Obituary
News & Observer — June 10, 2020
“Benjamin Berry Henderson, 90, passed away on June 6, 2020. Ben was born in Raleigh on May 28, 1930 to the late Clyde and Malena Berry Henderson. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jean Jones Henderson, his sister Barbara Jacobs, his three children, Brenda Yates (Randy), Benjamin Berry Henderson, Jr. (Seo Young) and Aaron Henderson (Beth), and two step children, Macon Jones (Linda) and Beth Robbins (Mark). In addition, Ben is survived by eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Jamie Lynn McLeod. Ben served his country in the U.S Air Force in Korea and returned to Raleigh to attend N.C. State University. He had a 30 year career with Westinghouse in Raleigh and later also worked for CP&L.
During retirement, Ben accomplished many goals and made many new friends and connections while researching his family tree. He created the Berry Tree website and a blog so that all the relatives could keep in touch. One of his biggest accomplishments was writing and self-publishing a genealogy book entitled Our Berrys in Frontier America. Through this work, Ben discovered cousins as far away as California and throughout the U.S. and these connections were a great joy in his life.
Due to COVID 19, no services are planned at this time. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.”
— Submitted by Aaron Henderson: “Rest in peace Dad, we love you.”