Ann Messer Henderson
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Ann Messer Henderson of Jacksonville, a retired Alachua County high school principal, died December 13, 2020 in Jacksonville. She was 90.
Born in Dellwood, Florida, Mrs. Henderson attended public schools in Jackson County. She received a bachelor's degree from Florida State University. She received a master's degree and completed advanced post-graduate work at the University of Florida. She was a business and cooperative education teacher, a guidance counselor, and a senior high school principal.
Mrs. Henderson was principal of Buchholz High School for the first graduating class and served in that capacity for eleven years. She was one of the first female senior high school employed in the Alachua County School System for nineteen years. During that time, she taught at Newberry High School, 1964-1966, and at Gainesville High School, 1966-1971.
She was a member of several organizations in Gainesville, including the University Women's Club. She was one of the first female members of Phi Delta Kappa and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. She served as a member of the State Advisory Council for the Cooperative Education Clubs of Florida during the years 1970-1977.
She was a member of Southside United Methodist Church and the Asbury Sunday School Class Jacksonville. While living in Gainesville, she was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and served on the Administrative Board, on the Finance Committee, and as an usher for many years.
She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, Charles Alfred Henderson. Survivors include a host of nieces and nephews, including Andrew and Kathy Coley of Jacksonville. Ann grew up in a large and loving family. Her oldest sister had a great ministry of communications and keeping the family together, a role which Ann continued in later years.
To celebrate the life of Ann, a graveside service will be held at Roselawn Cemetery in Tallahassee.
Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL (904) 288-0025.