Cherel Jean Henderson
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Cherel Jean Bolin Henderson - age 77, passed away Sunday, July 3, 2022. She grew up in Jefferson County, Tennessee, and attended Rush Strong High School where she graduated as class valedictorian. She was fascinated by history from an early age and often preferred the company of her elders at family gatherings, listening on the front porch as they discussed the "old ways." These discussions awakened something deep inside her, not simply a love for genealogy, but also an understanding of how her life had been shaped by those who came before her. Cherel worked at JCPenney in downtown Knoxville for several years, but her passion for history eventually led her to join the East Tennessee Historical Society (ETHS) staff in 1987. She was promoted to Associate Director in 1995 and became Executive Director in 2003, retiring in 2020. In the 17 years Cherel served as executive director, her warmth, sincerity, and love for all things East Tennessee were driving forces for ETHS's success and growth. She was the founding director of the ETHS Tennessee Bicentennial family heritage program, First Families of Tennessee, which now numbers almost 17,000 members from all over the world, and was editor of the book First Families of Tennessee: A Register of Early Settlers and Their Present-Day Descendants. Other highlights of her career include the 2004 completion of the East Tennessee History Center's renovation of the Old Custom House and addition that houses the Museum of East Tennessee History. She also oversaw design and construction of the museum's signature exhibition, Voices of the Land, The People of East Tennessee, that opened in 2008. Cherel loved to travel and fondly recalled her visits to Ireland, Scotland, and Germany. She had a compassionate heart for animals and doted on her beloved cats, looked out for neighborhood strays, and often carried birdseed and peanuts in her car in case she ran across birds or squirrels looking for food. Preceded in death by husband, James; parents, Hobart T. and Lillie (Bell) Bolin; brother, H.T Bolin; grandson, Easton Henderson; and son-in law, Donald Hodnett. Survivors include: children, Kristie and Gareth (Jan) Henderson; sister, Becky (Charles) Anderson; brother, Frank Bolin; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. The family will receive friends Thursday, July 7, 2022, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bridges Funeral Home. A private family graveside service will be held Friday at Pleasant Grove Piney Baptist Church in New Market. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the East Tennessee Historical Society ([email protected]). Arrangements by Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, 865-523-4999. www.bridgesfuneralhome.com