Cleveland County bid a fond farewell to one of its most influential residents this month.
Joseph R. Hendrick Sr. died while at Hospice Wendover in Shelby. The first person to hold the title of county manager, Hendrick was quietly responsible for many things county residents take for granted today. If one looks at what has been done in terms of our courthouse, administrative building, social services building, health department, (it s) absolutely beautiful. I realize he has been retired sufficiently long that he was not directly responsible for those things, but he did lay the groundwork for the leadership that helped provide those services,” said Hendrick’s son, Dr. Joseph Hendrick.