Dr. Clifford L. Hendrix Jr., a lifelong Chattanoogan, a proponent of public education, and faithful servant of the Lord, died on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
Dr. Hendrix graduated from Howard High School in 1948, and received a bachelor of arts degree in 1953 from Tennessee State University, a master of science degree from Tennessee State University in 1963, and a doctorate of education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1976.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 until 1955 when he was honorably discharged, having attained the rank of corporal. Dr. Hendrix was employed by the Chattanooga Public Schools for 38 years.
He rose through the ranks of the school system, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, supervisor, director, assistant superintendent and retired as deputy superintendent in 1993. Dr. Hendrix’s commitment to his community, his city and state is evident in his lifetime of tireless service.
He was a lifetime member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
For 20 years, Dr. Hendrix served as chairman of the Public Education Panel of the Legislative Black Caucus. He was Inner City Committee chairman of the Downtown Rotary Club.
He served on the boards of the Partnership for Families Children and Adults, the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, the Urban League, the United Way of Greater Chattanooga, the Metropolitan Council for Community Services, the Tennessee State University Foundation, WTCI Channel 45, the Chattanooga State Community College Advisory Committee, the board of trustees of Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church and was co-director of the ministry of education.
Music and theater held a special place in his heart. He served on the boards of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera and the Chattanooga Theatre Center. Upon retirement, Dr. Hendrix joined the Chattanooga Choral Society for the Preservation of African American Song, with which he joyfully performed until 2004.
The respect he held for his community was mutual. In 2004, the community of Chattanooga raised more than $100,000 toward the establishment of a chair of excellence in education at Tennessee State University in Dr. Hendrix’s name.
Dr. Hendrix was preceded in death by his parents, Pluma Cleghorn Hendrix and Clifford L. Hendrix Sr.; a sister, Florene Hendrix Garth; grandparents, Paul Hendrix and Susie Mae Knox Hendrix, Cicero Cleghorn and Laura Chaney Cleghorn; uncles, Arthur Cleghorn, Caldwell Hendrix, Lester Hendrix, Herbert Hendrix, Herman Hendrix, Nathaniel Hendrix, Albert Hendrix, Roy Hendrix, Archie Hendrix; and an aunt, Mildred Hendrix Newman.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Bobbie Jones Hendrix; son, Anthony J. Hendrix; daughter, Ellen M. Hendrix; sister, Bernice Green (James); sisters-in-law, Mary L. Johnson (Ralph), Eleanor J. Poteete (Robert), and Janice J. Jones; brothers-in-law, retired Sgt. Warren Thomas Jones, retired Capt. George C. Jones (Carol); nieces, Gina L. Green, Dalise Robinson, Shalise Wrobel, Trinece Holden, Varnar Spencer, Sharon Hudson, Leisha Tutt, Pamela Johnson, Monica Johnson and Michelle Jones; nephews, Stanley Jones, Arthur Maynard, Kenneth Maynard, Eugene Maynard, Derrick Johnson, Jerry Johnson, Warren Jones, Stephen Jones, George Jones; and a special cousin, Malcolm J. Walker. He is lovingly remembered by a host of cousins, countless friends, colleagues and students.
Dr. Hendrix will lie in state after noon on Monday at Taylor Funeral Home, 3417 Wilcox Boulevard.
Funeral services will be at noon Tuesday at Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church, 1734 E. Third St., with Pastor Harold K. Lester officiating.
Family hour will commence at 11 a.m. and Alpha Phi Alpha Omega service at 11:45 a.m. Dr. Hendrix’s remains will be interred at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church Ministry of Education or Family Life Center.
Respects may be paid online at www.taylorfh.com.