Helen J. Hensley, 89, of Centralia, passed away Thursday, February 10, 2022 at Centralia Manor. Helen worked at the Centralia City Schools for 15 years as a cook. She loved cooking for any occasion. She was a Girl Scout Leader, Boy Scout Leader and assisted with the PTA for 11 years at Irving School. She was a TRI CHI sponsor for the Class of 1974. Helen was a member of the First Baptist Church in Centralia and she was previously a member of the Unity Baptist Church in Benton, Missouri. She was a big supporter and volunteer for the “Big D” Relay for Life Team. She also assisted with the WOW “Wonder of the Woods” Kids after school program that was held at Heritage Woods in Centralia. Helen was a previous member of the Cape Girardeau Quilting Club and a current member of the CTown quilting group, where they would make quilts for projects and donate items. She loved her family and cherished the time she spent with everyone.
Funeral Service for Helen Hensley will be held Sunday, February 13, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the Unity Baptist Church in Benton, Missouri with Pastor Dennis Lowe officiating. Burial will follow at the Unity Baptist Church Cemetery in Benton, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the “Big D” Relay for Life Team and the Unity Baptist Church in Benton, Missouri and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Hensley Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook Page.
Helen is survived by her son: Craig Hensley and wife Tammy of Centralia and daughter: Diane Barnes and husband Jim of Centralia; five grandchildren: Jim Barnes and wife Katie of Wentzville, MO, Jennifer Harnish and husband Marvin, Bridget Guy and husband Danny, Amy Hensley and Heather Schossler and husband Tom all of Centralia; twelve great-grandchildren: Makaela Barnes and Liam Barnes both of Wentzville, MO, Peyton Guy of Centralia, Olivia Downes, Cooper Harnish, and Fred Secrest all of Centralia, Sydnee, Larissa and Chance Hensley all of Centralia, Sophia, Carter and Emory Schossler all of Centralia; brother-in-law: Tony Hensley and wife Shirley of Benton, MO; 4 sisters-in-law: Becky Moore and husband Roy of Benton, MO, Dreama Ekin Davenport, Iowa, Erma Ekin of Moline, Illinois, Rita Ekin of Florida; several nieces and nephews, and caregiver: Michelle Rapp of Centralia.
She was born May 17, 1932 in Newton, Idaho, the daughter of Floy E. Ekin and Imo K. (Bayles) Ekin. She married Howard “Clif” Hensley on September 27, 1950 in East Moline and he preceded her in death on July 15, 2010. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, seven brothers: Bob Ekin, Donnie Ekin, Johnny Ekin, Millard Ekin, Ray Ekin, Floy Ekin, and Ronnie Ekin, a sister: Katherine Turnbull; five brothers-in-law: Jim Hensley, John Hensley, Wilton Moore, Emmitt Vincent, and Rudy Welker, and five sisters-in-law: Mary Lou Hensley, Anne (Moore) Vincent, Ruth Welker, Hazel Hensley, and Peggy Hensley.
