Jai Alexander Henson, beloved son, brother, grandson, cousin and friend departed this life on January 17, 2019, at the age of 19 years. Jai was born June 26, 1999 in Fort Benning, Georgia to William Alexander Henson and Olivia Beth Dearmon (Henson). Jai’s commitment to Christ began at the age of 15 years.
Always known as an inquisitive and studious young man, Jai’s thirst for a relationship with God prompted him to study God’s word with his Uncle Donny. He was baptized into Christ at the Bell Shoals Church of Christ, Brandon, Florida, by Brother Rex Dutton on Sunday, September 28, 2014. Jai was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme in January 2017.
Despite his illness, he never lost faith and always had a warm smile and encouraging words for everyone. Jai’s desire to learn all he could about Christ prompted him to request his very own Thompson’s Chain Reference Bible, which was presented to him by his family on March 2, 2017. What he learned, he applied.
Jai graduated Riverview High School on May 22, 2017, following many years of academic excellence. During his years at Riverview High, he maintained a greater than 4. 0 GPA and was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.
Following graduation, Jai was accepted into the Nursing program at Hillsborough Community College. His motivation: to provide nursing care to other children and cancer patients who were experiencing similar illnesses. While at Hillsborough Community College, he met and developed a special, dear and pure friendship with Naomi Kerce.
Always with a positive word and always with a smile, Jai touched the lives of many. He always thought of others before himself. He told his parents that he was not afraid to die because he had given his life to the Lord.
His concern was for his parents and the pain they’d feel when he passed. Jai is survived by: his parents (William and Lissette Henson); siblings, Kailin and Trajan Henson of Riverview, FL; Luke and Conner Dearmon of Fayetteville, NC; mother, Olivia Dearmon; stepfather, Brad Dearmon (Jennifer); Naomi Kerce (his first and only love, aka his “peanut butter, chocolate cake with Kool-aid”); best friend, Pierce Eitel; grandparents, Lewis and Billie Henson; Darrell and Pauletta Fyffe; Richard and Rose Montiel; aunts, Charity Ballard (Donald) and India Colosimo (Sean); uncle, Damon Henson (Lisa); Darin Fyffe (Ali); Phillip Fyffe (Morgan); cousins, Gabriel Henson, Daesun Sims, Koral Colosimo, Aiyanna Henson, Zoe Ballard; aunt Rosie Montiel; uncle Rich Montiel, and a host of other relatives and friends.
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