Joe Lee Henley

Henley, Joe Lee, 79, of Grady, Ala., passed away peacefully on April 20, 2025, in the Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, Ala., surrounded by his family after a six-month battle with heart disease.

Joe Lee, as he was known to his friends, was a dedicated provider and patriarch for his large family. He and his wife of 58 years, Mary Esther Stearnes Henley, raised two highly accomplished children with two grandchildren.

Joe Lee was born in Florida in 1946, the second son of Grover and Ora Lee Helms Henley. After their divorce, Joe and his brother Charles Thomas Henley lived with their mother initially, eventually returning to their father. Grover Henley had married Marjorie McMoy of Grady, Alabama and together they gave Joe Lee another four siblings, Stella Carol, Charlotte Ann, Murray Thomas, and Raymond Lee Henley. Grover and Marjorie raised their family in Grady, where Joe attended Ramer High School. Following graduation, Joe Lee enlisted in the Alabama National Guard in 1963 and was working as a gas station attendant where he met Mary. They married in 1967, having children in 1975 and 1977.

Joe Lee made his career working rotating shiftwork for 32 years at Albany International's Appleton Wire Works in Montgomery, Alabama. He was one of the founding union organizers for the factory and served as the union's first shop steward. Throughout his years with the company, he earned the admiration of his co-workers, many of whom became lifelong friends. Joe Lee retired in 2008 as the plant faced closure and lived the rest of his days on the family land in Grady. Throughout his life, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, working on his land, and watching Alabama football.

Joe Lee was dedicated to his family. He and Mary worked hard for years to make certain their children succeeded. Joe Lee's son, Christopher Lee, is a licensed professional electrical engineer with the Alabama Department of Transportation in Montgomery. His daughter, Nancie Elizabeth, holds a Master's degree and is a licensed psychotherapist with her practice in Maryland.

Internment services will be held April 27 at Hills Chapel Cemetery in Grady with Bro. James Robert McMichen officiating. Visitation will be graveside at 1:30 p.m. with services at 2 p.m. Pallbearers will be Beau Jackson, Josh Rials, John Andrews, Kevin Henley, Rick Hall, Rusty Henley, and Trey Trussell.

Joe Lee is survived by his wife, Mary Esther Stearnes Henley; two children, Christopher Lee (Alice) Henley and Nancie Elizabeth Henley; his sisters Stella Carol and Charlotte Ann, his grandchildren, Virginia Wells Henley and Oak Thomas Jennings-Henley; and many dear nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grover Lee Henley, Ora Lee Helms, and Margorie McMoy Henley, and his brothers, Charles Thomas Henley, Murry Thomas Henley, and Raymond Lee Henley.