Genelle Ruth Henderson, 95, of Elrod, passed away at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at Ripley Crossing in Milan. She was born near Elrod on June 29, 1923, daughter of Morris and Elva Pearl (Elliot) Stevens.

She was married to Chester Henderson on April 12, 1942, and he preceded her in death November 8, 2007.

Mrs. Henderson was a 1940 graduate of Versailles High School. After school, Genelle worked as nanny for an Orthodox Jewish family in Cincinnati, an experience that gave her a greater appreciation for faiths different than her own.

After marriage, she helped Chester on the farm with everything from field work to tending the livestock. She and Chester also did a lot of the hunting together. Genelle was a crack shot with a 22, often outdoing her husband in squirrels, rabbits, and crows.

Genelle served as secretary for Johnson Township, as well as Ripley County Farm Bureau and the Laughery Association American Baptist Women. She was a former trustee for the Southeastern Baptist Youth Camp at Westport, and she and Chester were former youth leaders at the Washing Baptist Church in Elrod.

Genelle was a member of the Versailles Baptist Church and the Ripley County Historical Society. She and Chester were also former ambassadors for People to People, which included farm tours to New Zealand, Australia, and England.

She is survived by her daughters, Rosalie Hooten and Shirley (Tom) Pavey, both of Elrod; six grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Virginia McDonald of Milan.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; granddaughter, Nadine Wiley; son-in-law, Rev. Rand Hooten; brother, Donald Stevens; and sisters, Darlene Lambert and Doris Mounce.

Funeral services begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 17 at Versailles Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Cantrell and Rev. Harol Carter officiating. Burial will be at Cliff Hill Cemetery. Visition will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday at Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until the start of services at the church.

Memorials may be given to Versailles Baptist Church, the Southeastern Baptist Youth Camp, or the American Bible Society in care of the funeral home.