Barbara June Hensley

Barbara June Hensley, age 91, of Rockford, Tennessee passed away on Thursday, February 15, 2024. She was born on February 14, 1933 to Roy Abraham Irwin and Zelpha Louise Capps Irwin. Barbara was a 1951 graduate of Young High School and a 1955 graduate of Carson Newman College with a degree in Music Education.

Barbara retired from Knox County Schools where she spent her entire 33 year working career. She taught at Mount Olive Elementary, Bonny Kate, Vestal, Cedar Bluff, White School, Sevier Home Elementary and Doyle Middle School where she inspired the love of music into thousands of elementary school children. In addition to her teaching with Knox County Schools, she was instrumental in teaching hundreds of students piano and organ instilling a lifelong passion for music. Some of those students are now teaching students of their own.

Barbara was a lifelong member of Mount Olive Baptist Church where she was the church organist for over 60 years. She also served as GA Leader, youth choir director and worked with the Special Friends Ministry, Disaster Relief and went on many mission trips abroad.

Preceded in death by husband, William P. "Dub" Hensley and parents, Roy and Louise Irwin; nephews, David and Dennis Nichols.

Barbara will be remembered for her huge smile, vibrant personality and infectious laugh.

She is survived by her sister, Wilma Manning, niece, Lisa and Eugene Walker; nephew, Douglas Nichols and great nieces, Jessica Starr and Emma Kidd; great nephew, David "DJ" Walker and seven great great nieces and nephews. Special friends, Lillie Brewer, Millie Cagle, Sharon and Shawn VanKirk, Gloria and Mark Nipper, Elizabeth Drinnen and Hazel Frost.

The family will receive friends 2-4 PM, Sunday, February 18, 2024 at Mount Olive Baptist Church, 2500 Maryville Pike with a Celebration of Life Service at 4 PM. Rev. Fred Randles and Rev. Kirby Ownby officiating. Family and friends will meet 1 PM, Monday, February 19, 2024 at Anderson-Gouffon Cemetery, 5116 Tazewell Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918. Rev. Scott Cagle officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital and St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.berryfuneralhome.com.