Fred E. Hendon, 71, of Florence, a beloved child of God, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 14, 2011. He was the director of the Shoals Praise and Worship Choir.
The service to glorify God and to celebrate Fred''s life will be held Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at Christ Chapel. Gary Cosby, the choir pastor, and Henry Melton will officiate. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens.
While working at Reynolds Metals Co. he went to school at Florence State College to earn his education degree. He taught in the Florence City School system before being appointed Principal of Harlan School in 1981. He served as Choir Director of Central Baptist Church, Valley Grove Baptist Church and Underwood Baptist Church. Fred led the community choir at the 1999 Tony Evans Crusade. From that event, the Shoals Praise and Worship Choir was born and in 13 years has grown to 200 members.
Fred was first and foremost a Christian whose drive, passion and desire was to serve the Lord. After that, his other passion was the University of Alabama football. He was a devoted friend, strong influence, spiritual leader and mentor. He was also a "headstrong" father figure to all his chosen family, who loved him as much as he loved them. He was a man who knew how to lead and guide all those he was associated with in such a way that he was never intrusive. For Fred, life was to be lived and he lived his life to the fullest. From breeding and raising canaries and goats at his home in Florence to driving to Tuscaloosa for Dreamland ribs, Fred always had a smile on his face, some mischief in his eyes and love for the Lord and all his fellow man in his heart.
Survivors include cousins Reva Daily of Decatur, AL, Eva Johnson and Louise Holland of Red Bay, AL, Doris Jackson of New Albany, MS, John Jackson of Plainfield, IL, Gary and Bobby Jackson of Aurora, IL, Dana Luper of Little Rock, AR, Chris Linderman of Benton, AR, and Bella Luper of Little Rock, AR; sister-in-law Joyce Hunter of Oxford, AL; a chosen daughter Rhonda Lier of Florence; a chosen sister Patsy Mays of Florence, and many chosen sons and brothers.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Laura Hendon and brothers Bobby Hendon and Bill Hunter.
Pallbearers will be Bobby Clemmons, Doug Hice, Jimmy Jordan, Dr. F. Allen Long, George McAmis, Ron McKinney, Kim Newton, Steve Phillips and Dr. Greg Risner. Honorary bearers will be Larry English, Kevin Green, Lloyd Harrod III, Norman Lier, Phillip Looney, James Mays, Jimmy Myhan, Stephen Phillips, Mark Pyle, David Russell, Phillip Williams, and G. W. Hillis.
Please consider memorials to Hospice of the Shoals or the American Heart Association.