Mrs. Essie Mae Henderson Gay of 906 West 20th Avenue, Cordele, Georgia died Friday, January 19, 2024 at her residence.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:00 AM in the chapel of the J. W.  Williams Funeral Home Chapel in Cordele,  Georgia.  The burial will follow at the Sunnyside Cemetery in Cordele, Georgia.

Everyone entering the funeral home for visitations or services is required to wear a mask and to practice social distancing.  A mask must be worn throughout the stay.  You must supply your own mask.

Mrs. Essie Mae Henderson Gay was born September 18, 1947 in Cordele, Georgia.  She was born to the union of the late Mr. Arthur Henderson and the late Mrs. Laura Mae Underwood Henderson.

A believer in Jesus Christ, she worshipped at the Beulahland Baptist Church.  She later worshipped at the Weona Baptist Church.

Essie loved fishing and growing flowers.  She also loved fast cars and with her comical spirit, she also enjoyed making others laugh.  She had many funny and favorite sayings, but her most favorite saying was, "Have No Fear!"

On Friday, January 19, 2024 she peacefully slipped.  Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings, Mrs. Catherine White; her brothers, Mr. Arthur Henderson, and Mr. William Henderson; and her nieces, Ms. Sonia Henderson and Ms. Myriam Lefaye Bynes.

Her life will be remembered by her loving and caring family:  her children, Ms. Catesha Gay of Cordele, Georgia, Mr. Toriando LaQuan Russ of Atlanta, Georgia, and Ms. Bernadette Youngblood of Albany, Georgia; her grandchildren, Ms. Chelsey Gay, Mr. Ricky Youngblood, Mr. Toriando LaQuan Russ, Jr., Ms. Latavia Russ, Ms. Ronnika Holmes, Ms. Zalorah Almuhsin, and Mr. Lloyd Williams, Jr.; her great grandchildren, NaKauchie Clark, Nakayla Clark, and Syliviana Gay; her nieces and nephews, Ms. Gwendolyn Henderson, Ms. Tamarick Nashay White, Ms. Eddie Ruth West, Mr. Donald Ray Henderson Mr. Courtney White, and Mr. Randy Corbin; her great nieces and great nephews, Mrs. Ariel (Justin) Brown, Mrs. Kamia (John) Boone, Ms. Brittney Merrell, Ms. KeAsia Goodman, Ms. Tekeria Goodman, Ms. Kelsey Merrell, Mr. Tarrick Henderson, and Ms. Eris Johnson, her great, great nieces and great, great nephews; her sister-in-law, Mrs. Flora (Herbert) Pickens; a host of cousins,  other relatives and many sorrowing friends, to include a special friend, Mrs. Lessie Mae Corbin.