Jeanne Cloud (Adams) Henderson
July 9, 1930 – November 9, 2024
Jeanne Cloud (Adams) Henderson, born July 9, 1930, in Montgomery, AL to Audrey and Elizabeth Henderson; sadly, and unexpectedly passed away in Spartanburg, SC on November 9, 2024, following a very short illness. She will be remembered for being a loving Mother, Grandmother, a friend to many, and deeply committed to her Catholic faith.
Jeanne attended high school at Sidney Lanier before enrolling at Alabama College in Montevallo in 1948 on a competitive scholastic scholarship she had won. While there she joined Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Fraternity for Freshmen Women. She went on to Huntington College in Montgomery to complete two semesters.
In 1949, Jeanne entered her beloved Alma Marter, Auburn University, where in 1952 she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy. While attending Auburn she served as a member of Rho Chi National Honor Society for Pharmacy Students, was a member of the yearbook staff, competed in golf and was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Social Sorority. To the very end of her days, she was an ardent and supporting Auburn Tiger – War Eagle!!
Before becoming a licensed pharmacist and even before completing her pharmacy degree, Jeanne worked in several pharmacies assisting registered pharmacists. Her hard-working ethic allowed her to rise through the ranks to become the manager of several of these large pharmacy department stores after college.
In 1954, Jeanne married Dr. Rodney Adams in Montgomery, AL. During the next ten years they moved to Ashville, NC and Salt Lake City, UT where she worked at various pharmacy stores while raising four children and supporting her husband through medical school.
Jeanne and her family moved to Bradenton in 1965 where she dove headlong into motherhood and community service. With four of her soon to be six children in tow, Jeanne was soon immersed in many activities that included teaching kindergarten in her church, sponsoring Christian teenage pageantry presentations (Stations of the Cross), organizing and supervising Christian fellowship groups often including over 200 weekly participants, working as a volunteer for the Manatee County Girls Club, participating as a chaperone during a trip to Washington, D.C. for teenagers attending the Congressional Classroom, and was actively involved in the Manatee Medical Auxiliary for many years.
In 1981, Jeanne joined the staff of then U.S. Congressman Andy Ireland where she ultimately became the chief operator and manager of his office. Her past, professional and personal, experiences had groomed her perfectly to enable her diplomatic abilities which she executed with charm and grace with both citizens and governmental bureaucrats.
She enjoyed many years of sailing with her family from their home on the Manatee River and camping across the United States. Jeanne was also a skilled seamstress and in later years crafted handmade purses which she sold at craft fairs across Florida and North Carolina. Jeanne always found time to read and was always surrounded by books she loved. But, above all else she delighted in ways to worship and serve the Lord.
Jeanne was a devoted mother and is survived by a loving family: her four daughters, Lisa Belsito, Beverly Smith (David), Stephanie Lloyd (Bill), and Missy Erickson (Bill); her two sons, Rodney Adams (Barbara) and Michael Adams (Melissa), along with ten grandchildren, Natalie Naeher (David), Christine Adams, Chelsea Sprenger (Michael), Megan Smith, Graham Smith (Tara), Stephen Ierulli, Nick Ierulli (Lizbet), Maddy Ierulli, Will Lloyd, Cassie Lloyd, and three great grandchildren, Alex Schofield, Nathan Schofield, and Ellie Schofield. She always said she cherished her children and felt blessed to have them in her life. Her children considered her their “Rock” and will miss her beyond measure. Jeanne also leaves behind a brother, Joe Henderson (Renee), and a sister, Beverly Stehlik (Paul). Jeanne will join her predeceased brother, Audrey Henderson Jr. in Heaven.
A Funeral Mass at Saint Joseph Catholic Church will take place on November 30, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. A Private Burial will be held graveside after mass for family members. For family members and friends of Jeanne a Celebration of Life will be held at Pier 22 starting at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements.
