“I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith: Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Abe Henderson Jr.

Abe Henderson, Jr. 84, passed away peacefully at his home in Gaithersburg, Maryland on May 18, 2026. Formerly of Dayton, Ohio, he was born in 1941 to Lucille McCray Henderson and Abe Henderson, Sr. of Tallahassee, Florida. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at an early age and lived his life based on Christian principles. Educated in the public schools of Leon County, Abe, Jr. proudly graduated from the original Lincoln High School. After completing school, he was inducted into the United States Army and served honorably for two years. After returning from service, he married Daisy Mae Mathews and relocated to Dayton, Ohio. There they became proud parents of Darlene Mathews Henderson, Chedell Maurice Henderson, Brenda Michelle Henderson, and Abe Johnny Henderson.

Having an interest in law enforcement, he attended the Dayton Police Academy. After his graduation, Abe, Jr. worked a total of 33 years for the Dayton Police Department. He diligently worked street patrol for two years before being assigned to the professional standards division for a period of time. He was later reassigned to the crime prevention unit. His duties in the unit required close and constant contact with the residents of West Dayton, Ohio to organize neighborhood watch groups, while working with commercial establishments, and other organizations to develop strategies for crime prevention and safety. Abe, Jr. served faithfully in this critical position for over twenty-five years and was the recipient of numerous intra-agency awards, recognitions, and citations for meritorious service. The Police Department and City of Dayton honored him with their prestigious Top Flight Award. He was extremely elated when he received both the State of Ohio Crime Prevention Practitioner of the Year Award and the National Night Out Award for the City of Dayton, Ohio. Abe, Jr. also served as a former co-chair of Toys for Tots and worked with other charitable programs for citizens of the West Dayton, Ohio community.

As the eldest of nine children, Abe, Jr. provided loving care and guidance for his siblings who found him to be a consummate protector, provider, and role model. These virtues were very much a part of who he was as a man and were demonstrated in his role as a father and as a professional in his career. He was a man of few words, but his sage words spoke volumes. Abe, Jr. was well-known, hard-working, respected, really liked, and admired. He was a true friend whose presence will be sorely missed by everyone who had the opportunity to know and love him. For the years that God allowed him to spend among us, we are truly grateful. Servant of God, well done!

Abe, Jr. was preceded in death by his mother and father, Lucille Henderson and Reverend Abe Henderson, Sr.; his wife, Daisy; his sons Chedell Maurice and Abe Johnny; his grandson, Frankie; his granddaughter, Sharon; his grandparents, and a large contingent of family and in-laws. He is survived by his daughters, Darlene and Brenda; his daughter-in-law, Christine; his brothers, Leroy Henderson (Malinda), Rayfield Henderson (Brenda), Marvin Henderson (Gloria); his sisters, Mamie Henderson Thomas, Margarette Henderson Hayes (James), Gloria Henderson Allen (James Fred), Sharon Henderson McFadden, Marilyn Henderson Hudson; an uncle and aunt, Jerome and Melvine Jones; an aunt Judy Jones; an aunt, Evelyn Henderson Nims; twenty-one grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, a large extended family and in-laws, and a host of friends and acquaintances.

Funeral services are pending.

On behalf of the staff and management of Strong & Jones Funeral Home, Inc., we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. Abe Henderson Jr.