Dejerilyn “DJ” King-Henderson, age 59, of Troy, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, September 7, 2016. A funeral service will be held on Monday, September 12, 2016, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Green Hills Funeral Home with Rev. Ira Walton, Sr. officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be the Charles Henderson High School Classes of 1975, 1992, and 2002. Burial will follow in the Green Hills Memorial Cemetery Veteran’s Garden. Visitation will be Sunday, September 11, 2016, from 6 – 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mrs. King-Henderson is a 1975 graduate of Charles Henderson High School. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Faulkner University and a master’s degree from Troy State University. She dedicated more than 33 years of her life to the public school system, including more than 14 years as a first grade teacher at Troy Elementary School, of which she retired in 2012. She served more than 20 years in the United States Army Reserve, honorably retiring in 2001 as a staff sergeant. Mrs. King-Henderson is best known for her political and social involvements, serving as a Troy City Councilwoman for District Five; as a member of the Pike County Democratic Executive Committee since 1990; a 2012 member of the Alabama Democratic Executive Committee; an active participant in the Alabama League of Municipalities; and a committee member with the National League of Municipalities.

Mrs. King-Henderson was preceded in death by her siblings, Casandra Awkard, Don Frank King, Gussie Smith and Julia Johnson. She is survived by her children, Cedric (Shelbia) King of Atlanta, and Zakiya (Ray) Henderson Stroud of Troy; grandchildren, Raelyn Stroud, Ray Stroud, Jr., and Reece Stroud; sisters, Annie Bell Starks, Pearlie Mae Thomas, Essie McGhee, Mary Gay, and Ann Massy; brother, Tommy King; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and the McGuire and Henderson families.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in her honor to the Dejerilyn King-Henderson Memorial Fund for her grandchildren at Wells Fargo Bank. Friends and family can sign the guestbook online at www.greenhillsfuneralhome.net.