James M. Henderson, Jr., affectionately known as "Funnyman", a native of Boston, Massachusetts, departed this life on January 22, 2026.  Funnyman was born May 18, 1946, to the late Margaret Pierce Henderson and James A. "Stone" Henderson.  He was also preceded in death by his loving devoted wife, Joyce Lewis Henderson (whom is very sadly missed). They were married for 45 years before going home;  grandchild, Terrol Massey; two sisters, Anne Matthews Peterson and Ruth Henderson; two brothers, Richard Allen Henderson and Charles Andrew Henderson; and six sisters-in-law, Barbara Lewis (Nathaniel), Christine Lyons (James), Sharon Pope, Linda Cannon, Connie Lewis and Rosa Lewis.

James accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the age of 12 years under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend Fred Boddie, Tabernacle Baptist Church. He was a graduate of the Class of 1966, Peabody High School, after graduation he serve two years in US Army and eighteen years in the National Guards. After leaving the Army, he went on to work at Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company for 16 years.

After the company relocated in 1984, James gained employment with McGuire Veterans Hospital (now Richmond Veterans Administration Medical Center), Richmond, Virginia, where he worked for 25 years before retiring in 2009.

James was well known by the nickname of "Funnyman," a name which he acquired from his high school day as the "Class Clown" and telling jokes. James as an avid bingo player (PROFESSIONAL) and a Raiders fan.  In addition, James was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 882, Petersburg, Virginia. Above all James was a Christian. He served on the Men's Usher Ministry at Tabernacle Baptist Church, Petersburg, Virginia under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Robert A. Diggs, Sr.

James M. "Funnyman" Henderson leaves loving memories to his children, Elder Gail D. Clarke (Michael) and Renette Dillard all of Petersburg, Virginia, and Evangelist Nora Massey of Buffalo, New York, and Deacon Rico Dillard (Deaconess Carolyn) of Petersburg, Virginia; nineteen grandchildren, Shamera, Devonna, Clifton, Tiffany, Carlos, Varine, Excell, Tijuan, Tiesha Christina, DeVanté, Datria, Tiara, Alexis, Londay, Shaquita, Keith Jr., Cameron and Latoya; several great grandchildren; a devoted niece, Natilie Peterson Long (Thomas D.) of Galveston, Texas; two nephews, Nathaniel Peterson and Patrick Peterson; great nephew, Micah J. Bergess; devoted cousin, Annette Parham (Pastor Keith) of Hopewell; devoted best friends, James Thomas, Wilbert Johnson, Bernard Thompson and Lewis Jones; three loving brothers-in-law, Edward Lews (Minister Carolyn) for Macon, Georgia, Reverend Harold Lewis (Pansy) and  Michael Lewis (Marsha) both of Petersburg, Virginia; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 418 Halifax Street, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. Robert A. Diggs, Sr., Pastor, officiating and Elder Gail Clarke, eulogist. The interment to follow at Southlawn Memorial Park.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/5705490?fl=so&fe=fs