Doris Carolina Henderson

Doris Carolina Henderson (Kitty) was born on December 7, 1963, in Lynchburg, VA. She was the oldest of 6 children, but the shortest of them all. Doris received her nursing certification in 1983 from Potomac Job Corps in Washington, DC. She worked as a nurse’s aid in a nursing home. Doris’ caretaking spirit never wavered, as she found ways to give back to the community. She would often volunteer at various elementary schools, giving underprivileged children supplies for the new academic year, and create gift baskets for soon-to-be expecting mothers.

At 15, Doris met her late ex-husband, Donald Malcolm Henderson, in Washington, DC, as she was sitting on a stoop reading a book called, I’m Dancing as Fast as I Can. Doris and Donald married 3 years later in 1988. They conceived 3 daughters, Sheryl Henderson (Nikki) (Phenomenal Woman), Sonya Henderson (Beautiful Black Queen), and Sabrina Henderson (Superstar), which were our motherly-given nicknames. However, Doris and Donald divorced in 1997, being better as friends and loving co-parents.

Anyone who knew Doris knew she was a small, stubborn, but mighty warrior. She fought battles that no one should ever endure, and loved those who wronged her, even if that meant loving from afar. When power was taken from her, she leaned on God for restoration. She learned that the greatest love of all was self-love, and mastered it well. She would often say, “Even if you have the last laugh, you don’t have to use it”.

Music was her joy. Her children were her heart. And her granddogs, Kino and Levi, were her angels. She was anointed with the gift of gab, as we called her motor mouth. We soon developed a better analogy for her chit-chatting ways. Calling her the first person to ever become a walking and talking biography in human form. She truly embraced her life story as

she was not ashamed of her past. Hurt, yes. Ashamed, no. It made her who she was. A fierce, independent woman who stood 10-toes down!

She would share her life story with anyone she felt called to. We would joke that having a little mystery would do her some good, and in Doris’ fashion, would give you a friendly grin and glare and continue with her story.

Doris loved to dance and listen to the oldies. She always played saxophonist, Boney James, Gerald Lervert, Sade, Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Prince, and newer legend, Bruno Mars.

As her health declined, Doris was determined to stay as active and busy as she could. She found ways to keep herself entertained by investing in cooking, learning new skills, and making new dishes. One of her favorite pastimes was watching YouTuber Ajita Stone. Calling her a kindred spirit.

Doris developed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in 2020, which later led to her developing Congestive Heart Failure. Another battle she was ready to face. She took the news in stride, put on her armor, and became the warrior and fighter we all knew. She fought a great fight and lived 6 more years. Authentically living life on her own terms.

She came face-to-face with her own totality with pure grace and love and departed this earth on February 23, 2026. Her last message, as she stayed true to form, was “I love you. Jesus, I'm coming home”, and she took her last breath.

Doris is survived by her loving siblings, Christina Graves, Eliyzza Wilson, Andy Graves, and Randy Graves. She leaves behind her great friend of 3 decades, Minnie from Annapolis, MD and many nieces and nephews in Virginia. She now shares space with her late sister, Niecy Renee Jarrells, and late mother, Doris Brewer.

“It’s not goodbye. It's see you later!”_Doris Carolina Henderson