Janis Irene Woodall Hensley went home to be with the Lord she loved and served on Thursday, February 15, 2018. She was born September 16, 1932, a daughter of Howard L. Woodall and Marie Hanshaw Woodall. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Phyllis Woodall Jarvis.
Janis is survived by the love of her life, Basil A. Hensley, whom she married December 22, 1951. Left to cherish her memory is her beloved husband of sixty six years, Rev. Basil A. Hensley, three daughters, Sylvia Marie Seay and husband Kurt, Oak Hill, WV, Diana Kay Patella and husband Chris of Elkins, and Teresa Elaine Collier and husband Clifford of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Two sons, Aaron Wesley Hensley and wife Marsha of Lexington, KY and David Lee Hensley of Elkins; eight grandchildren, Rachel Pearl and husband Stephen, Orchard Park, NY, Nicholas Patella and wife Ann Marie, Elkins, Emily Bennett and husband TY of Morgantown, Austin and Alexandra Collier, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Amelya, Andrew and Haley Hensley of Lexington, KY. Four great grandsons, Joshua, Ryan, N.J. and Noah, and a loving niece, Belinda Jarvis Baisden, also survive.
Janis attended Clay County High School and graduated from Spencer High School in 1950 and was in the top five percent of her class, and a member of the National Honor Society. She attended Glenville State Teachers College and Morris Harvey College (University of Charleston) where she received her Teachers Certificate in elementary education. She taught school in a one room school house, grades one through eight, with an average enrollment of forty two students. She was a member of the WVEA.
Janis will be remembered as a compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a dedicated Christian and in 1975, renewing her commitment to follow Jesus, she received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism in the Jordan River. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Elkins. She loved children and served as Nursery Supervisor and coordinator of Children’s Ministries. She served in the We-Care Ministries, United Methodist Women, Circle 5 of the Church, Quilt Ministry and was a Life Member of the Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center Auxiliary. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother and lived a positive Christian life full of grace and truth. No criticism, always living the Sermon on the Mount, feed the hungry, visit the sick and clothe the needy. She affirmed each person as God’s creation, no have or have nots, everyone is equal in God’s sight. The Scriptures that personify her life is Proverbs 31:10 – 31 and 1st Corinthians 13: 1-13: 14-1.
Married to a Methodist Circuit Riding Pastor she lived in eight different parsonages, Newton Circuit, Roane County, Clendenin Circuit, Kanawha County, Bomont Clay County, Roland AME UMC, Baltimore, MD, Wayne UMC, Wayne County, Epworth UMC, Jackson County, Central UM District, Lewis County and First United Methodist Church in Randolph County. In fifty years of Ministry, she was always thankful for the calling to serve in the Blessed Connection. Our hearts break but our souls rejoice because now she can, “Run and not be weary, She can walk and not faint.” Her life resonated with her Saviors traits of humility, grace, kindness and sincerity, Emmanuel-God is with Us.
The family would like to give special thanks to WV Caring Hospice, Meals on Wheels, Senior Center Home Health Care Service, We Care Ministries of the First United Methodist Church, the Women of Circle 5 and to the legion of people who brought food and remembered us in prayer. We would also like to thank the “Strugglers Class” of Epworth UMC at Ripley and the compassionate care of Tomblyn Funeral Home. Friends and family were invited to a visitation Sunday evening, February 18, 2018 at the Family Life Center of the First United Methodist Church in Elkins. A memorial service of celebration was held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 19, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church in Elkins. Rev. Brian Seders, Rev. Dr. Dale Waters and Rev. Dr. Ken Ramsey officiated. Interment followed in the D. C. Hensley Cemetery at Newton, WV.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Women and the We Care Group at First United Methodist Church, 315 Kerens Ave., Elkins, WV 26241 in memory of Janis.
The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins was in charge of the arrangements for Janis Irene Woodall Hensley. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.
