Betty Jane Henderson, age 79, of Knoxville passed away Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. She was born Dec. 19, 1932, in Northhampton, Mass., and spent her early years living in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Betty graduated from Brockton High School, Brockton, Mass., in 1950 and attended Chandler Secretarial College in Boston. In 1951, she joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif., where she met and married Gerald Henderson, her mate for 55 years, until his passing in 2007. They resided in Brockton until 1969 when she and her family moved to Knoxville, where she was employed by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, for 13 years as an administrative secretary and a member of the National Secretaries Association. In 1986, she retired from U.T. and joined her husband in the operation of several businesses in the Knoxville area, among which were Jerrys Lounge, Oak Grove Nightclub, Raceway, Jerrys Mini-Mart and Deli and Jerrys Restaurant. Betty enjoyed music, reading, doing crossword puzzles and playing the piano. Her most enjoyable hours were spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her loving husband, Gerald; parents, Lillian Grant McAfee, Elmer Grant; and step-father, Samuel McAfee. Betty is survived by her sons, Robert and Richard; and daughter, Debra Jones; grandchildren, Sara Russell Crisp, Brittany Jones, Samantha Henderson; great-grandchildren, Nathan and Caitlyn Russell, Brooklyn and Gavin Crisp; beloved four-legged companion, Skippy; and many special friends in Knoxville and in Brockton. Family and friends will meet 11:30 a,m. Wednesday at Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery (Lyons View Pike) for a graveside service with full military honors presented by the Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to www.rosemortuary.com.