Eddie Mae Henderson

Eddie Mae Sledge Henderson, lovingly known as “Grannie” by her family, was born on September 24,1930 in Wylam, Alabama to the late Mr. and Mrs. Ed and Amy (Arrington) Sledge.

She was educated in the Jefferson County Public School System and later married the late Eli Henderson. Together they reared four children of which one preceded her in death: Willie Lee Henderson.

She confessed Christ at an early age and later joined Friendship Baptist Church, Brighton, Alabama under the leadership of Reverend Moten and later Reverend W. J. Sankey, where she was a faithful member of the choir.

In 1983, she joined Mount Canaan Full Gospel Church, Birmingham, Alabama, under the leadership of her children, Pastors Willie B. and Patricia O’Neal. It was under their leadership that she grew and blossomed in her walk with Christ. During her time at Mount Canaan, she was a faithful giver and tither, and she was a dedicated participant of the Willing Workers mission ministry and the Women’s Sunday School. With the Willing Workers she visited nursing homes and the sick and shut in, and in her own time she was known to reach out to the church members on a routine basis, calling them and sending out encouragement cards.

She enjoyed fishing, gardening, exploring yard sales, and caring for her plants and pets, which included both dogs and fish.

Her favorite past time was solving crossword puzzles, watching CNN, checking her email for pictures from her family, and talking on the phone to her late sister Thelma and her only daughter Donna.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; stepson; sisters, Lila Austin and Thelma Harris; brothers, Earnest Sledge, Elbert Sledge, Lehmon Sledge and Willie H. Sledge; granddaughter, Triola Ellis Crawford; and grandsons, David Fisher and Patrick Fisher.

Her memories will be cherished by sons, Pastors Willie B. & Patricia O’Neal of Birmingham, AL, and Pastor Paul J. (Paulette) Fisher of Midfield, AL; daughter, Donna Fisher of Birmingham, AL; granddaughters, Tracy O’Neal Daniel of Calera, AL, Franchesca O’Neal of Calera, AL, Angela Fisher of Birmingham, AL, Patrice Anderson of Atlanta, GA, and Adrean Anderson of Atlanta, GA; grandsons, Willie Ellis, Jr. of Midfield, AL, William B. (Bridgette) O’Neal of Douglasville, GA, Dedrick (Kenya) O’Neal of Helena, AL, JaCarlos O’Neal of Pleasant Grove, AL, Steven Fisher of Birmingham, AL, Michael Fisher of Birmingham, AL, Joseph Fisher of Birmingham, AL, Paul Fisher, Jr. of Birmingham, AL, and Gilbert Mack, III of Birmingham, AL; a special uncle, Lonzo (Joyce) Arrington of Mt. Olive, AL; a special niece, Linda Hall of McCalla, AL; a special cousin, Richard Arrington, Jr. of Hoover, AL; sixty great grandchildren; twenty-two great, great grandchildren; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

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