Some knew Mary Anne Henderson as "Homework Henderson" from the many years she taught at Edgewater Elementary School. Others might have met her at their doorsteps when she campaigned both for local and national politicians, including her son Clay's 1986 run for Volusia County Council. Henderson, a woman who had a lifelong dedication to democracy, education and family, died Wednesday at Hospice Care Center in Port Orange after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was 85. Born in Moultrie, Ga., she attended the University of Georgia until World War II, when she worked as a civilian at two Army bases in Georgia. After the war, she taught in Georgia schools before she married Odis Henderson in 1952. The couple soon relocated to Tallahassee when he was appointed as Florida's assistant attorney general. His death in 1966 prompted her to return and graduate from the University of Georgia with their two young children by her side. She moved to Southeast Volusia soon after graduation and began teaching at Edgewater Elementary School the first year it opened and stayed there, teaching sixth grade, until her retirement in 1988. After retiring, she had more time to devote to her political passions. Her campaign credits also included work for Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Lawton Chiles, her daughter-in-law, Volusia County Judge Mary Jane Henderson, and many others. Judge Henderson said her mother-in-law "was the queen of door-to-door campaigning. She absolutely loved it because she enjoyed interacting with people and because she believed in the people she helped." Clay Henderson, a New Smyrna Beach attorney who served two terms on the Volusia County Council, added that his mother's campaign work was "legendary." "She had a team of volunteers. They would start in Oak Hill, hit every place between here and Ormond Beach and then go to the west side and come back down. She probably knew this county better than anyone." Henderson was a longtime member of Edgewater United Methodist Church and the Volusia Democratic Executive Committee. Before her illness progressed, she was active in the Southeast Volusia Democratic Club and served as a delegate to the Florida Democratic Convention. A proud Georgian, she was an avid Georgia Bulldogs fan. Her daughter-in-law also said that even though Henderson would sometimes forget the names of family members, "she always knew every word to the song 'Georgia On My Mind'." Additional survivors include a daughter, Suellen Henderson, Atlanta, and two grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Volusia/Flagler, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32129. Settle-Wilder, New Smyrna Beach, is in charge.<!-- FH = Settle-Wilder -->