Rajae Juan Henderson

Rajae Juan (known to some as Eddie Riles) Henderson was born August 20, 1980, in Roanoke, Virginia. Those who knew him remember a warm and joyful presence who carried his Roanoke roots with quiet pride and a ready smile. Rajae attended Roanoke City Public Schools and remained a member of the local community throughout his life.

He was a devoted father to his daughter, Rajiana U. Henderson, and a beloved son to Tammy Henderson and Cedric Lavender. Rajae’s family also includes sisters Teontaé Gibson and ChaKita Poindexter, and brother Carlos G. Saunders, along with grandmothers Shirley Henderson and Shirley Lavender and a wide circle of relatives and friends who cherished him.

Family and friends gathered to celebrate Rajae’s life with a funeral service held at Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home on September 3, 2016, with interment at Williams Memorial Park. Those who called Rajae a friend remember kindnesses both small and large, his bright laugh, and the ways he brought people together. His memory lives on in the love of his daughter and the many family members who carry his spirit forward.

While his passing on August 27, 2016, left a deep void for his loved ones, Rajae is remembered first for the life he lived — as a son, a father, a sibling, and a member of the Roanoke community. May his memory be a blessing to all who loved him.