Chaplain Stephen Lafayette Henderson

Please see service date and time below.

Chaplain (Min.) Stephen L. Henderson passed into the presence of God on May 25,2026. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona on September 29. 1965. His mother Lennie Mae Wilson (Deceased) and Father Alonzo Henderson, as well as his grandparents Bonita Frances O’Quinn-Cash and George Amos Cash and his adopted in love as a grandfather Green Cecil, all had an integral part in raised him.

Stephen graduated grade school from Booker T, Washington Elementary School in Phoenix, AZ. He attended Phoenix Union High School, Alhambra High School and ultimately graduated from Carl Hayden High School in 1984 in Phoenix, AZ. He played basketball at each school as a talented athlete and was moved to varsity as a freshman at Phoenix Union High School.

Stephen attended Shalom Bible College and Seminary and earned his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Divinity and Theology in 2011 and his Master’s Degree in Christian Education in 2013. He also had a host of other certifications in behavioral health, business administration computer technology.  

Min. Stephen was ordained into ministry by his father and bonus mother Bishop Alonzo and Bishop Clotiel Henderson of Gateway to Heaven Ministries in 2019.

Stephen was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Tanita Henderson and Tameetra Henderson from his union with his first wife and childhood sweetheart, Vanita Henderson. Stephen remained a widow, until he fell in love and married Natordia “Nadia” Henderson in November 2022 and lovingly embraced Tianna and Tiarra Laws as his daughters and Kerome Ricketts as his son.

Min Stephen was not embarrassed by his past of being formerly incarcerated but instead considered himself a walking testimony of God’s grace, deliverance and mercy and an inspiration to so many people because of his journey from being formerly incarcerated to becoming a Hospice Chaplain. As Hospice Chaplain he provided care, compassion and comfort to many individuals and their families during end-of-life transition from 2016, until his health began to fail him and he was unable to function in his duties as Chaplain He always had a side business and was a cable/internet sales contractor. Some in the community knew him as “Heavy”, “The Cable Man” or “Chaplain Stephen”. So many people knew Min. Stephen, and he embodied the term “He never met a stranger”.

Min. Stephen was preceded in death by his Mother Lennie Mae Wilson, his first Wife Vanita Henderson, his Brother Anthony Henderson, Sister Kathryn Cureton. Grandparents Bonita Frances and George Amos Cash and Green Cecil. 

Stephen is survived by his wife Natordia “Nadia” Henderson, his daughters Tanita Henderson, Tameetra Henderson, Tianna Laws, Tiarra Laws, his son Kerome Ricketts, his Dad and Bonus Mom Bishop’s Alonzo (Clotiel) Henderson, his Sisters Tammy Henderson, Min. Lynette (Min. Dennis) Tolliver, Lavalya Beyart, Min. Veronica Johnson, Roinesha Johnson, his Brother Andaysha Henderson and a host of Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and additional family, friends and loved ones.

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