Patricia Wilson Henderson

A famous author once said “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” (Maya Angelou)

    Pat was just that “feel good“ person! She was born Patricia Ann Wilson on May 31,1933, in Eccles WV, to Dorvin Robert Wilson and Gladys Biggs Wilson. She graduated from Trap Hill High School in 1951 and Concord College in Athens, WV in 1955. She began teaching 1st grade 3 days later in Rand, WV. Her professional teaching career lasted over 40 years in schools in West Virginia, Florida, and Georgia. She was very active in County, State, and National Educational Organizations. She was awarded a Life Professional Teaching Certificate from the State of Georgia. She had a passion for reading for her enjoyment and for teaching reading remediation.

     Pat was last a member of First Baptist Church Morrow. She served as president of Merry Hearts, sang in the Sanctuary Choir, Silvertones Choir and played hand bells. She was very active in “Faith” Sunday School class.

    While teaching in Nokomis, Florida she met and married Lamar Jackson. They had two children, Joseph Lamar Jackson (1958) and Marla Jackson Potts (1963). He died after a long struggle with mental illness leaving her to raise 2 children on her own. She never lost her faith in God or her neighbors and continued attending church at FBC Forest Park until both children were grown.

    She  enjoyed quilting, baking, bowling, cake decorating, collecting owls, and cheering for the Atlanta Braves and Falcons. She could wake up the whole house from a Sunday afternoon nap yelling at her favorite quarterbacks! She especially loved bragging on her 6 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.

    She was also married to Odell Palmer, Earl Lord, Sr., and her last husband of 30 years, James Louis Henderson. They enjoyed traveling and attending church together.

   She was preceded in death by her parents, Dorvin and Gladys Wilson, Lamar Jackson, James Louise Henderson. She is survived by her two children, Joseph Lamar Jackson (Tanya) of McDonough, GA and Marla Jackson Potts of Forsyth, GA. She has two sisters, Sue Phillips of Danville VA and Mary Lou Wadsworth (Grant) of Miamisburg, OH. She has 6 grandchildren, John- Joseph Jackson (Brandy) of Brooklyn, NY, Joshua Jackson (Angela) of Stockbridge, GA, Jeremy Jackson of Atlanta, GA,  Jordan Jackson of McDonough, Zoe Potts of Columbus, Ga and Zachary Potts of Providence, RI. She has one great granddaughter, Moya Jackson of Stockbridge, Ga.

    The family will receive visitors at Thomas Scroggs Funeral Directors on Tuesday, September 28 @ 10:00-11:30. A memorial service will follow in the Chapel.  Graveside services will be at College Park Cemetery.

    In lieu of flowers, please donate a new elementary level reading book at visitation or donate to

    Monroe County Backpack Buddies

    C/O Jessica Evans

    25 Brooklyn Ave

    PO Box 1308

    Forsyth, GA 31029

Thanks for all your prayers and support. All guests are asked to please wear a mask and social distance!