Dempsey O. Hendon (3-27-11) services 4-1-11

Dempsey O. Hendon, formerly of Savannah, TN, passed March 27 in Memphis.

Oather, son of Clemon and Bertha Gann Hendon, was born February 10, 1933, in Hardin County, TN.  Following graduation from the Tennessee School for the Blind at Donelson, TN, he attended travel school in Hot Springs, AR, where he met his wife, the former Betty Ann Severson, a resident of Colton, S.D.  They were married in Nashville, July 9, 1960.

Oather, was a member of the Beverley Hills Baptist Church and the Cherokee Baptist Church of Memphis where he served as Deacon for several years.  Oather, a Massuer and Licensed Massage Therapist, worked at the Chickasaw Country Club of Memphis forty years prior to retirement.  Oather and Betty Ann had two children, a son: Paul (Robin) Hendon; a daughter: Lisa (Russell) Walker all of Memphis;  two granddaughters: Hannah Hendon and Sarah Hendon both of Memphis;  brothers:  Drexel (Betty) Hendon of Germantown, TN; Wayne (Johnnie) Hendon of Memphis;  sisters: Joann (Elver) Brewer of Aurora, IL and Wanda Faye Kirkman of Crump, TN; four sisters-in-law:  Joyce Farr of Colton, S.D.; Dorothy Severson (widow of Dennis) and Merla Severson (widow of Ronald), both of Sioux Falls, S.D., along with a host of other relatives and friends.  He also left a Chihuahua pet, "Penny."

Oather was an active member for 30 years and received many awards at the East Memphis Lions Club.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Ann on November 15, 2009;  his parents; three sisters (still born), six brothers-in-law, Arleen, Norman, Harvey, Lowell, Dennis and Ronald Severson and one sister-in-law Carnie Ordall all of South Dakota.

Services will be held on April 1, 2011 at 1:00 PM at Shackelford Chapel in Savannah, Tennessee, with Bobby Pickens, Garry Burkacki officiating. Burial will follow in the Russell's Chapel Cemetery at Hardin County, Tennessee