Henry M. Underwood

Please send flowers to:

Martin Funeral Home Chapel

1300 4th Avenue North

Clanton, AL 35045

Mr. Henry M. Underwood was born October 14, 1949, in Billingsley, Alabama to the late Mr. George and Mrs. Elouise Mims Underwood. He was the fifth child of ten siblings. He was educated in Chilton County Training School, Chilton County High School and Graduated from Phillips High School in 1969.

His education was special during the time he was in school. It was the beginning of the Segregation Movement to integrate the schools. He was one of three students who were the first to be integrated in high school in Clanton, Alabama. Henry was a unique, smart individual. He embraced his intellectual mind and spoke many conversations. As we all know, he was the mouthpiece and center of all conversations. He enjoyed talking about politics and religion.

Henry relocated to Hamilton, Ohio in 1971 where his sister Beulah Walker and family lived. He was employed by Champion International Paper Company. He later relocated to New York City in 1979 where his sisters Edna Hill and Martha Jordan and family lived. He was employed by Sloan Kettering and later accepted employment at the NYPD Traffic Department as a Traffic Officer. His most memorable event working for NYPD was transporting officials and dignitaries to the site of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers Ground Zero in September 2011. He retired after 27 years of service. He relocated back to Hamilton, Ohio in May 2018 to enjoy retirement and spend time with his family and friends.

He departed this life on Monday, October 28, 2024.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Elouise Mims Underwood; sisters, Edna Hill and Gloria Underwood; great granddaughter, Selena Henderson, sister-in-law Dorothy Underwood; brothers-in-law Gregory Jackson and Henry Walker, Sr.

Cherishing his memories are his daughter, Kara Henderson; grandchildren, Eric, Alexis and Bryan Henderson, Yjohneasha, Yjohnea, Tahlea, Vahlea, Angelo, Kiara and Tiara Tipton and a host of great grandchildren; sisters, Beulah Walker, Dora (Ira) Sims, Martha (Robert) Jordan, Linda Jackson; brothers George, Darryl and Jimmy Underwood; brother-in-law, Lewis Hill; best friend, Arthur Thomas, and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

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