Rev. Dr. Charles Keller Henry Sr.

Reverend Dr. Charles Keller Henry, Sr., 93 transitioned peacefully from his earthly home and entered eternal rest on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at the Richwood Nursing & Rehab Center of LaGrange, Kentucky.

Charles, affectionately known as “CK”, was born June 19th, 1928 in Cynthiana, Kentucky to the late John Thomas Henry, Sr. and Martha (Fisher) Henry. He began his primary education in the Cynthiana School System and graduated from Springfield High School in Springfield, Ohio, where he enjoyed playing baseball and basketball.

At a very young age Charles professed his love and faithfulness to Christ. He and his siblings began their spiritual learning in the Baptist and African Methodist Episcopal Church environment. As the youngest, his formative years were positively impacted and protected by his parents and siblings.

Numerous people influenced CK’s life, including two teachers that had a profound effect on his educational and spiritual walk; Mrs. Henrietta Mae Fields of TN and Professor W. E Newsome of Ohio who was also his Sunday School teacher.

After graduating High School, Dr. Henry enlisted in the United States Army. He served during World War II in Guam state side after his parents death. Upon discharge, he enrolled in Whittenburg University Hamma Divinity School earning his B.A. in Education and Masters of Divinity degree in two years and eight months. He accepted his call under Rev. J.C. Glen. His first church was in Ford City, Pennsylvania then later transferred to the Kentucky Conference and was assigned to St. James C.M.E. Church in Paducah, KY. He served at that church for 18 years.

Charles received the Special Education Certification (SECP) from University of Louisville. After graduating, he became a substitute teacher for Tilghman High School in Paducah, Ky for 6 years. While teaching, he attended Murray State University obtaining a Masters Degree in Education plus 30 hours towards his Doctorate in Education. In addition, he obtained his Doctorate of Divinity from East Tennessee University along with receiving the KEPS Secondary Principal Certification during this time. He became Vice Principal and Dean of Students at Tilghman High School and then became Principal totaling 27 years spent in leadership responsibility while pastoring at St. James and other C.M.E. Churches throughout the Kentucky Conference. He continued his education attending Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY receiving a Superintendent Certification, a Homiletics and a Field Education Supervisor Certification from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

CK was always passionate about sharing the word of Jesus Christ with fellow preachers of the gospel. His ambition was “to always help those in ministry to be more effective leaders and to build on the characteristics God has given them”.


Dr. Henry’s ministry included pastorates in Western Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Ohio under the CME Church umbrella; Ford City-Pennsylvania; St. James-Paducah; Cleaves Memorial-Evansville; Lane Metropolitan-Cleveland; St. John-Akron; Phillips Temple-Toledo; Lane Tabernacle-Hopkinsville; Bells Chapel-Fulton; Bowman Chapel-Morganfield; Wesley Chapel-Madisonville; Pleasant Green-Hopkinsville and Spillman Chapel-Allensville. He has been the Presiding Elder in the Second Episcopal District Kentucky Region’s Evansville-Hopkinsville District and the Louisville-Lexington District, retiring in 2002 as the Second District’s first Presiding Elder with Emeritus status. He continued pastoring for 12 more years, although “sight challenged” for the last two years after retiring.
Henry was the Kentucky Region Joint Board of Finance Chairperson and the Ohio-Central Indiana Joint Board’s Treasurer; he wrote Sunday School Lessons for the CME Church Christian Index; he was the Chair of the Kentucky Ministerial Exam Committee; elected as Delegate to the CME Church General Conference numerous times, General Board member, Commission on Ministry Chair and was the first President Elect of the C.M.E. Retired Ministers. He has also written Pastoral Sermon Outlines for the A.M.E. Church Abingdon Press and served as Resident Pastor for the Rural Pastors Institute at Creighton University Center For New Community.
To name a few awards and honors, Dr. Henry has been Commissioned Kentucky Colonel, Paducah’s Mayoral Meritorious Duke Award, and First Presbyterian Church of Akron’s Dove Award. He has served as President of Kentucky Council of Churches, Member of Ohio Council of Churches, New Community Center Board of Directors, Commission on Religion in Appalachia (CORA), ECU Camp, Commission on Ministry Chair, Lifetime Member of NAACP, and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
CK has touched the lives of many, whether through his teaching, preaching, singing, and unique sayings such as “ya-ya’s” and “put some oomph in it.” People loved to hear Henry sing just as much as he enjoyed doing it and giving all praises to God. He was always requested to sing “His Eye Is On the Sparrow”, which brought shouting and tears of joy to everyone. He would always say, “If the Lord is watching a sparrow which is a very small flying species. I know He’s watching over me ‘cause I’m made in His image. We must follow Jesus so close that when He breathes, we can feel His breath on us.”

CK was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a kind, generous, intelligent, faithful Man of God who inspired and encouraged everyone. He was serious about his walk with God and followed his foundational scripture Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:”
Dr. Charles K. Henry, Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, daughters: Sharon Henry and Renee Clayton; siblings: sisters, Zella Mae Hawkins and Georgia Henry; brothers: Frank B., Calvin R., William F., Eugene, Robert Logan, Cleon, and John R. and granddaughter Cynthia Johnson.
Charles leaves to cherish fond memories: his loving and devoted wife of 34 years, Wanda Paulette Henry; daughters: Christine Hagan, CheRhonda (Marreo) Greenlee; sons: Charles, Jr. “Chuck”, Darrell Clayton and ; grandchildren: Harvey McGee, Joan McGee, Christina Jackson, Brett Ringo, Jr., CheMarra Greenlee, Million Greenlee; 24 great-grandchildren; 18 gr-gr-grandchildren; brothers-in law: Larry Young and Keith (Allison) Young; sisters-in laws: Lonza Young, Rev. Pamela (Rev. James) Buford, Clarissia Telepak, ZsaGwen Young; Aunts: Clara Jane Huff, Lorraine Young, Nellie Shultz, Rosetta Ann Rhodes and Margaret Coward; uncle: Charles H. Young Sr., and a host of nephews, great-nephews, nieces, great-nieces, cousins, god children, mentees, friends and colleagues.

A mask is required for all services and social distancing guidelines will be in place.