Joe Max Henderson

Joe Max Henderson, of Streetman, passed away Sunday, July 22, 2012, peacefully at his home after his lengthy health problems, attended by his loving family. He was 71. Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 24, 2012, from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. at the Groesbeck Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 25, 2012, at the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Clayton Smith of the Streetman Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow in the Old Union Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Chase Nowak, Logan Nowak, Michael Cornwell, Charlie Cornwell, Chris Nowak, Steve Henderson, and Justin Henderson. Joe was born on May 27, 1941 to Oscar Lee Henderson and Mary Edith (Yarbrough) Henderson at Old Union, where he grew up. He graduated from Groesbeck High School, Class of 1959. Joe lived in Houston a few years, where he worked for a newspaper, and where his two daughters were born. He moved back to Groesbeck and operated a convenience store for a period of time, and then began a career selling insurance for Reliable Life. He was an area sales manager for Reliable, and then District Manager for American National Life in Corsicana. Joe married Jean on March 5, 1983 at the Old Union Church of Christ and they lived in Corsicana. In 1995, they moved near Richland Chambers Lake, where he raised cattle and horses and his pets. He had a championship cutting horse which he showed in the Eastern and Western National Finals. He was a member of the National Cutting Horse Association. Joe was a Mason for forty-five years, first in Park Place Lodge in Houston, and a member of the Winkler Masonic Lodge #826. He served in the various chairs of the Lodge, and in 2003 was the District Deputy Worshipful Master for the Freestone and Navarro County areas. Joe and Jean attended the First Baptist Church in Streetman. He loved his family and enjoyed attending family reunions and memorials. He was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, who was loved by everyone. Joe Max was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Bobby Henderson, Pete Henderson, Rex Henderson, and Don Henderson. He is survived by his wife, Jean, of Streetman; daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and Keith Johnson of Lewisville; daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Matt McCullough of Garland; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Hayli Eitel of Allen; and daughter, Kelly Eitel of Atlanta, GA; eight grandchildren: Rachel, Regan, Wezli, Jennifer, Tanner, Morgan, Jordan, and Tracy; and two great grandchildren, Makayla and Ashlyn; a brother, Glen Henderson of San Saba; a sister and brother-in-law, Delores and Jerry Don Perry of Austin; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sheila and Joe Cornwell; and numerous nieces and nephews.