Sibyl Frances Williams Henley, 101, was born January 8, 1921, in Athens, TX, & died September 11, 2022, in Houston. The daughter of the late John Ira & Pearl Frances Clark Williams, she was married to J.C. “Jake” Henley for 61 years before his death in 2005. A graduate of Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, TX, she earned a B.S. from Southwest Texas State Teachers’ College (now Texas State University) and an M.Ed. from the University of Houston. She had a long career with the Houston Independent School District, teaching in Foster, Alcott, Gordon, and Walnut Bend elementary schools.
Sibyl was a member of Westbury United Methodist Church for almost 60 years, participating in women’s circles & helping teach the Fidelis adult Sunday School class. She was also active in the Houston Area Retired Teachers and in the College Women’s Club of Houston. She loved traveling, learning, and, most of all, being with her family.
In addition to Jake and her parents, Sibyl was preceded in death by her 3 sisters, Lee Welch, Maxine Hilton, and Johnnie Pearl Carr. She is survived by her 3 children: Sherry Ralston and husband Dave, Bruce Henley and wife Joan, and Milene Henley and husband George Johnson; by her 8 grandchildren: David Ralston and wife Erin, Jennifer Floyd and husband Michael, Britt Henley and wife Courtney, Cole Henley and wife Kasey, Drew Henley, Alyce Oszczakiewiez and husband Nick, Sara Grace Vann and husband Jason, and Cara Johnson and partner Tomas Velazquez; and by her 16 great-grandchildren: Sophie, Eleanor, and Vivian Ralston; Lily, Anna, and Gabe Floyd; Brayden, Hallie, and Parker Henley; Connor and Campbell Henley; Thomas Oszczakiewiez; Maly and Jesse Vann; and Tommy and Dean Velazquez.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3 PM on Sunday, October 2, in the chapel at Westbury United Methodist Church, 5200 Willowbend, followed immediately by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be sent to the Center for Alzheimer’s & Neurogenerative Disease at Baylor College of Medicine. A check should be designated for “Alzheimer’s Research/CAND” in memory of Sibyl Henley and mailed to:
Baylor College of Medicine, Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations, MSC#800, PO Box 7946, Houston, TX 77210.
Gifts can also be made online: www.givebcm.org/CAND
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkLawndaleFH.com for the Henley family.
