BY SARAH STEPHENS and GERRI MILLER
Permanent reminders of Coach Conrad Henderson can already be found on the grounds of Stanhope Elmore High School, and more are planned.
Coach Henderson died in August of this year after a traffic accident in Coosada. He had years of service to SEHS and the Millbrook community dating back to the 1960s as a football coach, principal, teacher and member of the Millbrook Mens Club.
After his death, multiple donations in his memory began flooding into Stanhope Elmore High School. His funeral was held in the gymnasium of the school which he so loved and dedicated much of his life to over the years.
Most recently, the Class of 1970 teamed up with the Beautification Class at the school and planted a white oak tree on the front lawn of the school. This past week, the groups gathered again, to dedicate a plaque in Coach Henderson’s memory.
“The bottom line is Coach Henderson had an impact on so many people in his lifetime, and it is reflected in the way the community and different classes have contributed money, gifts and donations in his name,” SEHS Principal Ewell Fuller said. “The tree dedication was very special, and they put it right there in front of the school so everyone could see it. We are really proud to be able to celebrate Coach Henderson and what he meant to SEHS.”
The Class of 1985 has recently donated a substantial check to the school, Fuller said.
“The plan is to erect a monument around the football field to honor Henderson’s service to the school, but also his military service. We are not trying to rush it. Now that football season is through, we will start working on the details,” Fuller said.
Henderson was the first Head football Coach for SEHS when it was established in the 1960s, and later a principal at the school.
Kay Brown Cord, a Class of 1970 member, led the tree planting dedication project along with fellow classmates Ingram Moring, Pete Culpepper and Deborah Gilliam. Other class members also made contributions for the tree and a marble marker that
is now displayed. Cord thanked Farmer Memorial for giving the class a sale price on the marker and Little Mountain Growers for providing the tree at wholesale.
Beautification Class Teacher James Pilgrim used the tree planting as an opportunity to teach his class about the proper way to plant a tree. Each member of the class took turns either digging, shoveling, watering or staking the tree so that it will grow and have a long life.
