Tommye Sueann (Hilton) Henderson

Tommye Henderson, 84 passed away on August 16, 2024. Graveside services are scheduled for 10:00 AM Wednesday August 21, 2024 at Memory Gardens Cemetery of Amarillo. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Rowley Funeral Home.

Tommye was born March 6, 1940 in Quanah, TX to Warner Wilson Hilton and Eva Juanita Hilton.  After returning from active duty in World War II, Warner moved his young family to Amarillo where he went to work for the Amarillo Police Department.

Tommye attended Amarillo schools, graduating from Amarillo High School.  She married Richard Franklin Dumas and had four sons:  Richard, Stephen, David and Mark.  Richard worked for the Santa Fe Railroad and Amarillo Globe News.

In the 1960’s, Richard and Tommye moved to Denver, CO.  While there, Tommye enrolled in Parks School of Business where she received a degree as an Administrative Secretary.  In 1969, Tommye went to work for the Gates Rubber Company where she worked in various departments including Purchasing, Benefits Human Resources, Auto and Hardware sales and Executive Offices.

Her husband Richard passed away in 1970, and she became the single mother of four boys.  While working for Gates, Tommye met and married Richard (Dick) Henderson, the Sales Manager for the Hardware Division.

In 1987, Tommye and Dick moved to Gainesville, FL where they went to work for Gates Energy Products, a newly purchased Gates business.  In 1993, Gates sold the business to Energizer, a division of Ralston Purina Corporation.  As a result, Dick retired in 1994, and Tommye retired a year later.  In 1999, they moved to Rainbow Springs, a community near Donnellon, FL where they enjoyed playing golf.  In 2006, they moved to Amarillo, TX to be closer to family.  They became members of St. Stephen Methodist Church and the Pathfinders Sunday School Class.

Tommye is survived by husband Richard; sister Jerre of San Antonio, TX; sons Mark Dumas of Huntington Beach, CA, Richard Dumas of Canyon Lake, TX, David Dumas of Evanston, WY, and step-children Dan Henderson of Denver, CO, Julia Henderson of Madison, WI and Cydney Henderson of Oslo, Norway; as well as 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.