A proposed $9.6 million capital improvement project calling for the closing of Volens and Clover Elementary Schools and the renovation of Sydnor Jennings, Scottsburg, and Clays Mill Elementary Schools received less than a hearty endorsement from the Halifax County School Board.
School Superintendent Dennis Witt assured the school board that the school system is in the best financial position it will be in for quite some time to undertake such a project.
He also pointed out that the project could be undertaken without the Board of Supervisors having to chip in additional local dollars to the county school budget.
"We're in the best position we'll ever be in to do capital improvements," Witt remarked.
"It doesn't get any more feasible than it is now to invest in capital projects."
Those arguments swayed only four members but that was enough as the plan passed by a narrow 4-3 margin.
Carl Furches, Raleigh Moorefield, and Lottie Nunn cast the "no" votes.
While the plan gained the endorsement of the school board it doesn't mean that the project will automatically go forward.
The school board and school system officials now have to take the plan to the Board of Supervisors and seek that body's stamp of approval.
Witt strongly emphasized that fact to the school board.
"We can't spend a penny," Witt said.
"We can't borrow a penny. Our job is to identify the needs of the school system. If we had any money, what would we do? Where would we start?"
The proposed package calls for renovation of Sydnor Jennings, Clays Mill, and Scottsburg Elementary Schools to house students in grades K-6.
Cost estimates are $3.9 million for Scottsburg, $3.4 million for Sydnor Jennings and $2.3 million for Clays Mill.
Those figures are estimates, Witt said. An architect would have to be brought in for final design and cost estimates.
If the plan goes through as presented, the enrollments at Sydnor Jennings, Clays Mill and Scottsburg would climb.
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Bobby R. Hall said Sydnor Jennings' enrollment, which is between 250 and 260, would increase by approximately 140 students as a result of the closing of Volens Elementary.
Scottsburg and Clays Mill would see an enrollment increase of about 70 students with the closing of Clover Elementary.
The exact numbers would be dependent upon how the school district lines for those two schools would be revamped.
In the financial realm of the project, Witt said the locality could obtain a 20 -year loan from the Literary Fund of Virginia at an interest rate of two percent.
He also noted that funds in the school system's construction fund account could be used to make the first two annual payments.
After funds are taken out of the account to pay for the new Halifax Career Center being created in the former Craddock-Terry Shoe Corporation facility in Halifax, the school system will still have $1,146,477.04 in its account.
Witt also pointed out that the school system will finish paying off its debt on the ILS computer lab initiative in two years and funds that had been put toward that project could be turned toward the capital improvement project.
In addition, Witt pointed out that the reduction of the school system's debt service will allow the school budget to support debt service payments.
"Our debt service for Halifax County is very low," Witt said.
"In a couple of years, the ILS initiative will be concluded and we will pick up about $300,000 (annually) to put toward the school construction project along with the school construction money we would have available."
Another big chunk of revenue Witt says that could be used to pay for the project are the Lottery proceeds for school construction funds that will be forthcoming from the state over the next few years.
"We believe that for the next four, six, or eight years the lottery funds will continue to come for school construction," Witt explained.
Along with that, Witt presented documentation to show the school system would realize over $304,000 in personnel costs by closing the two schools, savings that could be applied toward the costs.
When asked by a school board member what would happen if the cost estimates supplied by the architect come in higher than $9.6 to $10 million, Witt replied that the project would be scaled back.
"We would make it fit," he said.
Witt told the school board that nobody would lose a job as a result of the closing of the two schools. Routine attrition as a result of retirements and other circumstances would create openings for those employees.
"Our goal is not to take anybody's job," Witt said.
The school superintendent stressed to the school board that it needs to press forward in this school year if it is interested in pursuing the proposed project.
That, Witt, explained, is because the school system's composite index School board member Steve Anderson asked Witt what the answer will be to those people in other areas of the county who ask why their particular school wasn't used as the starting point.
"What we say is that after we do Phase I we will come back and do Phase II," Witt explained.
"We expect that one step will lead to another step. Once you get school improvements started, other folks will see what is needed."
School board member D.H. McDowell Jr. stated he feels there is a need for the project.
"I think there are needs in the southern end (of the county) and in the middle, too," McDowell said.
"I'd like to say let's start with Turbeville. There are needs all over but I don't think we can do the entire project right now."
Chairman Alan Gravitt, pointing to information from Witt showing the school system had to purchase four new modular classrooms for the 1999-2000 school year, bringing the number of mobile unit classrooms in the county to 51, said "the alternatives are to spend much more money."
"Where we start, I don't know. But, I think we need to move forward."

The Halifax County School Board has turned down a request from Dixie Inc. to move the lights from the baseball field at C.H. Friend Elementary School to its fields at the Day Complex.
None of the seven school board members put a motion on the floor for a vote to move the lights.
While no action was taken on the matter of moving the lights, the request from Dixie Inc. to move the C.H. Friend lights to the Day Complex spurred discussions on how the lights could get the best and most use.
Suggestions arose from the discussions to consider moving the lights to the Halifax County Middle School baseball field or to possibly the Mary M. Bethune Complex fields where they could be used by youth football, youth soccer and other county recreation programs.
In pleading Dixie Inc.'s case for the need for the lights, Ricky Hudson, the district director for Dixie Boys Baseball pointed out that the Day Complex served this year as host site for two district baseball tournaments as well as the state Dixie Pre-Majors and Dixie Majors Tournaments.
Hudson explained that because the field on which the Dixie Pre-Majors and Dixie Majors played had no lights, league officials had to make arrangements with Halifax County High School officials for the use of the high school field for night games.
Several games were played at the Day Complex during the daytime hours. However, sweltering 95 degree-plus temperatures and high humidity that drove heat indexes to 105 degrees and higher made conditions hard on both players and fans alike.
As a result of not having the lights, daytime games also had to be played at the high school field.
Hudson also told the school board that because there were no lights, all of the regular season games had to be played on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
"We had some kids fall out of the program because they had to work during those times," Hudson said.
"We could have gotten more kids involved if we could have played at night. We need the lights for the kids."
Hudson went so far as to offer the use of the fields at the Day Complex to the high school for games when needed.
"We'd like to let the jayvees come over and play when the high school has a double header," Hudson said.
Even further, Hudson told the school board that officials of Dixie Inc. wish to make a year-round use facility out of the complex.
"We'd like to put a football field in one day," Hudson stated.
"We'd like to put in a walking trail. We want to put in a playground."
However, Hudson's plea was met with opposition from Jason Hill, president of Halifax Youth Football.
Hill, a coach in the Dixie Baseball program, said "I wish I could be with them hand in hand in this thing."
The youth football league official cited that the lights at C.H. Friend are used to light the football field when the league's South Boston area youth football teams practice and play games.
"That field is right for football and soccer," Hill pointed out.
"Taking the lights out of South Boston would be detrimental."
Hill pointed out that the youth football program uses fields at the Bethune Complex, Volens, Scottsburg and Cluster Springs but "the only real lit field in the county is right here in South Boston."
"Lights are a big issue to everyone," added Hill.
"I didn't come in here to take away from Dixie Inc."
School board member D.H. McDowell Jr., a former coach and official in the Dixie Youth Baseball program in the Turbeville area, said he understood the needs.
"I know they have a need," McDowell said in reference to Dixie Inc.'s request.
"What I understand is we have a need for lights, too. I don't know how we can accommodate both."
School Board Chairman Alan Gravitt pointed out that he has questions about whether the school board could legally move the lights to the Day Complex.
"I have a concern whether we have the authority to take public property and give it to a private entity," stated Gravitt.
"And," he added, "I understand the principal at C.H. Friend wants the lights to remain there."
School board member Lottie Nunn pointed out that the other recreation leagues have raised their own funds to put lights up at their respective fields and that Dixie Inc. should do the same.
"If they want them (lights), then they need to go to work to get them," she remarked.
Board member Steve Anderson stated that his main concern in the issue is the best use of the lights and where the lights could be placed to serve the most kids.
An alternate suggestion for the use of the lights arose from board member Wanda McDowell.
She pointed out that the lights could be moved to the Halifax County Middle School baseball field where they could be used for baseball games in the spring, and for the school's fall co-ed soccer program.
"The middle school is in need of lights," she said.
"When we played other schools we had, on occasion, had to end games early because there were no lights."
"The lights," added McDowell, "could be used for soccer and for practicing football. That's three different sports and some of the same children that use their field could use the lights at the middle school."
"I don't want to take anything away from them," McDowell continued.
"We do need to be taking advantage and using these lights for the benefit of more children if that is possible."
Another suggestion offered by McDowell was to move the lights to the athletic field located behind the Mary M. Bethune Complex in Halifax where they could be used by the Halifax Youth Football program, youth soccer programs and other county recreation programs.
School trustees took no action on any of the suggestions.
Further discussions may be held on the matter at a later date.

While it is still too soon to calculate exactly how much revenue South Boston stands to gain by annexing approximately half of the AXA Berry Hill Plantation, preliminary figures point to an amount around $75,000, according to South Boston Finance Director S.V. Saunders.
"It's merely speculation right now," said Saunders Monday, a week before the August 16 public hearing regarding the pending annexation. "Right now we don't know the exact value of the real estate, and until an assessor gets out there we won't know. Hopefully that will be completed by the first of January."
Saunders said according to building permit records, approximately $31 million in renovations and new building was planned for the property, which could generate some $58,900 in real estate taxes for the Town of South Boston, should the boundary adjustment agreement go through August 16.
"That alone makes it worth it to us to have them become part of the town," Saunders said. "
For some time now, South Boston and Halifax County officials have been discussing AXA Berry Hill's request to become part of the town.
The South Boston Town Council will hold a public hearing, August 16, at 6 p.m., in the Mary Bethune Office Complex, on a proposed agreement between Halifax County and the Town of South Boston that provides that the boundary line between the Town of South Boston and Halifax County will be changed by incorporating within South Boston 329.79 acres of land which are presently located within the unincorporated portion of Halifax County adjacent to the western boundary of town.
Should the agreement be reached between the county and the Town of South Boston, the boundary line adjustment will become effective September 1.
Because the mansion and grounds of AXA Berry Hill will reside within the town limits, Saunders said revenue from water and sewer bills will reduced compared to out-of-town rates they have been paying.
However, he said he expects the annexed property should generate approximately $6,000 in consumer utility taxes.
Other revenue sources from the property, such as meals taxes from the restaurant, and personal property, will be examined after the agreement is signed, Saunders said.

Auctioneer Carlton Gravitt called buyers to bid during a relatively low-key opening day of sales on the Old Belt in South Boston, which kicked off in The Star Warehouse Tuesday, August 10.
Opening day prices averaged $177.72, slightly higher than 1998's opening average of $176.80.
Total sales yesterday were 484,993 pounds selling for $861,919.12 with just over 38 percent going under loan to Stabilization.
Last year 508,639 pounds were sold for $899,270.71 with 41 percent going under loan.
As a whole, the Old Belt Market - which includes warehouse sales in South Boston, Clarksville, Chase City, South Hill, Danville, Kembridge, and North Carolina warehouses in Winston-Salem, Mt. Airy, Stoneville, Madison, Reidsville, Burlington, Oxford, Roxboro, Louisburg and Henderson - fell between 12 to 15 cents below last year's prices.
Led by Gravitt, buyers and growers focused on the auctioneer's chant as they wound their way through sheets and bales of carryover leaf that packed the floors of The Star, Victory and Planters warehouses.
With the Good Time Band pickin' bluegrass favorites from the stage, a large crowd filled The Star Warehouse and waited for the bidding to begin.
Talk centered around the need for rain and hopes for good prices as growers milled around the floor examining the leaf from last year.
Despite the dry weather, Halifax County farmers are looking at one of the best tobacco crops in years, according to Halifax County Extension Agent Larry McPeters, who was present for the opening day activities.
South Boston Mayor Glen Abernathy welcomed the crowd and wished everyone involved a profitable year.
Although he could not be present, Delegate W.W. "Ted" Bennett addressed the crowd through a letter, encouraging them to hang tough through the rough times in the tobacco industry.
"These are tough times, but you all are still here," Gravitt read from Bennett's letter before opening the bidding. "Hopefully the tobacco bill will pass and make a secure future for tobacco."
Sales started slowly, with the first row and a half going to the co-op, but then picked up as the morning wore on.
"I'm kind of disappointed so much has gone to the co-op. It will reflect in next year's quota," commented grower Donnie Anderson as he leaned on one of his own bales on the floor of the Victory Warehouse. "There just doesn't seem to be much enthusiasm for the old crop. Hopefully there will be more when we get the new crop in."
After making appearances during the opening-day ceremonies in Danville, Lt. Governor John Hagar and Fifth District Rep. Virgil Goode (D) stopped in to observe South Boston sales activity at the Victory Warehouse.
"I'm glad to be at the opening, it is always a good event and it means so much to the area," said Goode, who expressed cautious optimism about the industry's future.
According to Goode, prices in Danville hovered around $1.80 per pound, and he said he would like to see them "a little higher."
"We need to get over the hurdle of the Medicare suit. The people from the House and Senate have both resisted giving additional funds, and I hope the suit isn't going anywhere."
In Goode's opinion, tobacco is here to stay, no matter where it is produced.
"I just hope we can keep producing tobacco here. It's going to be grown somewhere, and we need to keep the business here and not have us buying Chinese or Brazilian cigarettes," he said.
Hagar, too, expressed optimism.
"I think the industry is beginning to get stabilized. Of course, there are still plenty of concerns with quotas, lawsuits, and the tobacco program, but I feel people recognize the importance of the farmers," he said. "We are entering an era of stabilization. Nothing will ever replace the (tobacco) industry."
Hagar said he was impressed with this year's crop and observed that the cigarette companies, including locally-based Bailey's Cigarettes, appeared to be buying steadily.
"If we hang together and hang tough, I feel tobacco has a good, solid future," he said.
Carryover sales will continue through next week, according to warehouse operators.
Today, sales will begin at 9 a.m. from the Victory Warehouse, continue at Planters, and conclude at The Star. There will be no sale Thursday.

A child of northern Virginia's elite horse country, a jockey aboard sleek and powerful thoroughbreds as a teenager, a UVa graduate, a student of law ...and a follower of her faith's path.
Still, alone on a deserted and frozen runway 200 miles from Barrow, Alaska, and almost a mile from her Point Lay village, Marjorie Everlof clung to the thought, "I am sure God called me here for a reason."
"You know this is Point Lay?" the pilot had reminded her as they unloaded her "seven boxes of stuff" onto the strip.
"Yes," she assured him.
Still, no one came for her.
She had been taking classes at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria when a grant from the National Church to serve as an Episcopal missioner at the 150-soul Point Lay village posed both challenge and opportunity.
"We think you are the person for this job," Everlof was told.
"I feel so strongly called," explained Everlof this summer, a culture clash away from Point Lay as she served the gentle folk at St. Thomas Episcopal Church at Clarkton, a church nestled among rolling fields of summer hay and Halifax tobacco.
Everlof's arrival at Point Lay opened on a dramatic note , but good fortune was with her.
The pilot circled nearby Point Lay to signal villagers that a visitor had arrived, before heading on his way.
Soon the polar bear patrol, a pickup with a village lady at the wheel, arrived at the airport strip.
"Who are you?" Everlof was asked.
"I am the Episcopal missionary," she replied.
"They finally sent someone," came the reply.
Majorie Everlof's March to September 1997 mission tour was under way.
With temperatures plunging to 60 degrees below in "a dry cold with no humidity," the polar bear patrol's arrival was particularly good luck.
"They circle the village in a pickup during the winter," explained Everlof, "and warn villagers of approaching bears."
Warnings are important.
An 18-year-old parishioner of Everlof's church was attacked in the village and killed by a polar bear before her arrival.
"In the blowing snow, you can't see them," explained the seminarian. "And they are usually sick or starving."
In either case, the bears' circumstances are dire and villagers are in peril since polar bears are one of the few animals who will purposely stalk and kill man, according to Everlof.
Reacting to the menace, the government permits Eskimos to kill polar bears, and at least five bear skulls were displayed outside one Point Lay building during Everlof's tour.
Whalers by trade in spring and fall, the villagers of Point Lay also count on caribou hunting and ice fishing for food.
Eskimos also receive money through the Alaska Settlement Claims Act, which is credited by some with a dramatic impact on the natives' lifestyle.
Alcoholism is a major problem in Point Lay, according to Everlof, with up to 60 percent of the children diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome. Depression and suicide also are prevalent.
It was in this atmosphere, Everlof and the people of the village, utilizing an abandoned Air Force structure, built a new church for their almost 60-member congregation.
Easter, 11 members were baptized, recalled Everlof.
During the Virginian's stay in Point Lay, a wedding was celebrated, numerous dinners, including a barbecue, were held and morning and evening prayer services celebrated.
Upon arriving, she had lived in the corner of one parishioner's house. Later, she lived in the church.
It was almost 100 miles to the next town and the frigid temperature and relentless winds were constant.
Yet Point Lay also glistened in summer with yellow flowers and in the fall she described the beauty of the tundra with its grass and willows.
The children, the love she felt, new friends and having church "right on the side of the ocean" are a permanent part of her own soul's mission in the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska.
"I felt blessed in the work. I could not have stayed if I had not been sure God wanted me there. What was needed at the time was someone like me. God was just using me, and I tried to love the people like Jesus loved the disciples."

Members of the Sutphin Road community brought their dissatisfaction with the condition of their road before the members of the South Boston Town Council Monday night.
Council member Edward Owens told fellow council members that he was concerned about the Sutphin Road, especially in light of the town being turned down for federal improvement funds for the second time in two years.
"Is there money in the budget that we could use to do something (for Sutphin Road) since we didn't get the grant," he asked. "The people there aren't concerned with curb and gutter work. They just want a safe road to travel on, and I think we should do something."
South Boston Town Manager Ted Daniel said that the town could use the money that would have been used as matching funds should the town have received the federal grant, and that any road work that the town did complete would probably work to the town's credit when it applies for funding next year.
Daniel said this will be something that the new public works director will address when he or she is hired, and he added that the matter will be discussed during the next work session scheduled for later this month.
On the brighter side of things, Vice-mayor H. Radford Trent commended the North Main Improvement Committee for the job they have done since the first of the year.
"They've really done a great job. The old buildings are being taken down, and the trash has been cleaned up," Trent said. "I'd like to do this in some other areas, too."
In other business, council voted unanimously to approve a request from the YMCA to subordinate its current deed of trust with the town in order to secure funding to build an addition on the current facility.
Back in the 1970's, the YMCA purchased property from the town where the current facility is located along Hamilton Boulevard, and has since been paying the town $500 a year.
According to Daniel, the YMCA still owes approximately $5,500 on this loan. However, by the town voting to subordinate this loan, the YMCA will be able to provide a first deed of trust on the loan in order to borrow $175,000 to fund an addition onto the existing facility.
Council also approved a revised lease agreement between the town and Adelphia Cable Communications that grants the cable company a 10-year lease (from February 3, 1997, to February 3, 2007), for $2,000 a year, for the property located on the south side of Hamilton Boulevard.

Nine people suffered injuries resulting from a number of accidents that occurred on Halifax County roads in the past several days, according to reports from the Virginia State Police.
Most recently, an Alton woman, was injured Sunday, August 8, in a single-vehicle accident near her home.
Reports indicated that Janet Whitt Lacks, 42, of Alton, lost control of the 1984 Ford Bronco she was trying to drive around a sharp curve along Traynham Grove Road (Route 797), when she ran off the right side of the road, overturned and struck a tree six-tenths of a mile south of Cluster Springs Road (Route 658) shortly before 5 p.m.
Lacks, was charged with reckless driving by investigating Trooper D.T. Conner.
The Bronco sustained an estimated $3,000 in damages.
Earlier Sunday, three teens and a Chatham woman were injured in a single-vehicle wreck along Chatham Road.
Reports indicated that Pauline T. Thompson, 66, of Chatham, was driving along Chatham Road (Route 832) around 2:45 p.m. when she ran off the right side of the road and struck a mailbox approximately one-half mile west of Leda Road (Route 667), overcorrected, and ran off the left side of the road striking several trees.
Thompson and three teenage boys who were passengers in the 1987 Honda four-door she was driving were injured.
Investigating Trooper D.O. Cooper II charged Thompson with reckless driving. He estimated that the vehicle sustained an estimated $1,500 in damages.
Three people were injured in a collision that occurred near the Campbell County Line Saturday, August 7, shortly before 9 p.m.
Reports indicated that Johnny Johnson, 36, of Nathalie, was traveling north in a 1989 Ford on Route 501, approximately 100 feet south of Drive-In Road (Route 917), when he crossed into the south-bound lane and collided with a 1995 Ford van driven by Yvonne J. Jennings, 47, of Nathalie.
Johnson, Jennings and a 10-year-old female passenger in the Jennings vehicle were injured.
Investigating Trooper L.G. Perkins charged Johnson with reckless driving.
Damage to the Jennings vehicle was estimated at $3,000, while the Johnson vehicle sustained approximately $2,000 in damages.
A Buchanan, Va., man was injured Thursday, August 5, when a blown tire caused him to wreck his van near Brookneal.
Reports indicated that Larry M. Damewood, 51, was pulling a trailer with a 1995 Ford van along Route 40 when the van's right rear tire blew out one-tenth of a mile west of Bull Creek Road around 8:30 a.m.
When the tire went flat, the van and the trailer both swerved right and the trailer dropped into the ditch, broke free from the hitch, overturned and struck a grave marker.
Investigating Trooper R.C. Compton estimated that the van and trailer sustained approximately $5,000 in damages, while damage to the grave marker was set at $200.
No charges were filed.

Ephron Gilmore Sr., 74, of Chesapeake died Friday, August 6, 1999, at Maryview Hospital in Portsmouth.
Mr. Gilmore was born in Semora, N.C. on April 10, 1925.
Survivors include his wife, Grace Gilmore of Largo, Md.; one son, Ephron Gilmore Jr.; three sisters, Sarah Medley, Nannie Garrett and Delilan Cunningham.

Funeral services for Mr. Gilmore will be held Wednesday, August 11 at 11:00 a.m. at Chestnut Grove Baptist Church in Semora with burial in the church cemetery.

Ruth Nall Beck, 74, of Greensboro, N.C. died August 9, 1999, at Wesley Long Hospital.
A private service will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery at a later time.
She was the daughter of Samuel Willis Nall and Emma Minor Nall, born, December 12, 1924 in Greensboro. She was retired from Greensboro Manufacturing.
Surviving are her sons, Marvin Beck Jr., and his wife, Faye, of South Boston, Larry Beck and his wife, Sheila, of Boydton, and David Beck and his wife, Barbara, of Liberty; one daughter, Sharon Brown, and her husband, Ronnie, of Liberty; one brother, Howard Nall of Greensboro; two sisters, Libby Snipes of Greensboro, and Betty Jean Brewer of Burlington, N.C.; eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. Thursday, August 12, at Hanes-Lineberry, North Elm Street Chapel, in Greensboro.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider The Humane Society of Guilford County, 4527 West Wendover Avenue, Greensboro, N.C. 27409.

Minnie Wooldridge Allred, 88, of 1515 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, died August 3, 1999, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Allred was born August 1, 1911, in Halifax County the daughter of Aubrey W. Wooldridge and Sue Evans Wooldridge, and was married to John Ralph Allred. She was a member of South Boston Church of God.
The funeral was held at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel, Thursday, August 5 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Bill Leonard officiating. Burial was in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Survivors of Mrs. Allred include two sons, Ralph M. 'Bee' Allred of Chase City and James D. 'Jim' Allred and wife, Betty of South Boston; two daughters, Betty A. Powell and husband, Bob of South Boston and Jere A. Ferguson and husband, Charles T. 'Tom' of Halifax; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, and one son, Roland Allred.

Aubrey Alderson Henderson, 84, of 19596 Old Richmond Road, Keeling, died August 10, 1999, at his home.
Mr. Henderson was born in Halifax County on August 26, 1914, the son of Harry Alderson Henderson and Lizzie Tanksley Henderson, and was married to Margaret Davis Henderson. He was a member of Ingram United Church of Christ, and Woodmen of the World Camp 127.
Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Marie Henderson Davis of Blairs; two sons, Ryland Aubrey Henderson of Blairs, and John Thomas Henderson of Keeling; one brother, Clarence C. Henderson of Danville; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Henderson will be held Thursday, August 12, at 2:00 p.m. at Ingram United Church of Christ with Revs. Herman Absher and David Dickerson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home Wednesday from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m., and other times at the home.