Inez Blanche Henry

Inez Blanche Henry, of Snellville Georgia, 106 years old and the longest living member of her entire family, was born in Blackstonage, St. Ann, Jamaica W.I., born to Justin Reynolds and Matilda Lawrence on July 17, 1917. She peacefully passed away on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jasper Henry (1997) of Dumbarton St. Ann, Jamaica, her eldest daughters Clare Henry (2018) of Mount Vernon, New York, and Shirley Jones (2012) of Lithonia, Georgia.

Left to mourn her passing and cherish her memory are sister, Jean Powell of Nain, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica W.I.; three daughters, Carole Henry of Bronx, New York, Jennifer Hines of Stockbridge, Georgia, Sonia Henry of Snellville, Georgia, one son Barrington Henry and one daughter-in-law Shaun Henry of Snellville, Georgia; eight grandchildren, Gary Hepburn (Pia) of San Diego, California, Craig Edwards of Jonesboro, Georgia, Kevin Chambers (Yukendra) of New York, New York, Courtney Edwards (Neisha) of Yonkers, New York, Jonathan Henry of Atlanta, Georgia, Danielle Chapple of Atlanta, Georgia, Onyx Henry of Stone Mountain, Georgia, Christine Hines of Stockbridge, Georgia; eight great grandchildren, one great great grandson and a host of other relatives.

At an early age Inez was confirmed at St. Georges Anglican Church in Blackstonage, St. Ann, Jamaica. She has devoted her entire life to the wellbeing of her children and their children. Inez, affectionately called Mama, was unapologetically steadfast in her religious faith. The life examples she demonstrated to her children and grandchildren were priceless. It wasn’t until the 106th year of her life that Mama would retire to bed without first kneeling by her bedside to say at least two prayers, The Lord’s Prayer being one, as this was the blueprint of her life. Her legs simply became too weak to get her off the floor without any support.

Having six children, Mama would devote nights to using her craft as a seamstress to not only clothed her young children but was able to provide for her children as well. This made her very popular among the women in the community and there was always a constant stream of visitors to utilize her sewing skills. In rural Jamaica, there were no department stores or clothing stores for that matter and Mama fulfilled a much-needed service to the community. I would occasionally receive a home-made shirt, but my sisters would regularly receive matching dresses.

In addition to her devotion to family, Mama was a sports fanatic. Before migrating to the United States in 1970, Mama would be glued to her pocket transistor radio (remember those) to listen to every second of the West Indies Cricket Team play against England, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka during the cricket season. She would cook, clean, wash and sew all while listening intensely and often times talking to her little transistor radio. Maybe that’s why India’s cricket team won the year she migrated. But, as soon as she arrived in New York City, she became obsessed with American’s favorite pastime, baseball. She adopted the New York Mets as “her” team, but this time she had the added privilege of watching her team annihilate their competitors on television. Mention the baseball team New York Mets, and Mama’s usual quiet demeanor would come to life, she could recite baseball statistics at will. She was particularly fond of team members like the pitcher Dwight “Doc” Gooding (1984 – 1994 and 1996 – 2000) and outfielder Darryl Strawberry (1983 – 1991). Sorry Atlanta Braves, but you were always her second choice whenever the Mets had a day off.

To walk through Mama’s life journey, one must embrace the true meaning of living one’s life with determination; compassion; forgiveness; love for family; graciousness; humility; gentleness; kindness; patience; benevolence; perseverance; tenaciousness; faithfulness; devotion and commitment to Biblical principles.

Inez Blanche Henry lived her life with Spiritual grace and leaves no doubt that she has earned her Heavenly wings and flew over the pearly gates into paradise for her journey into eternity. REST IN ETERNAL PEACE MAMA, YOU ARE FOREVR LOVED!

A visitation for Inez will be held Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St Edward's Episcopal Church, 737 Moon Rd, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. A funeral service will occur Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 737 Moon Rd, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. A burial will occur Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Eternal Hills Memory Gardens, 3700 Stone Mountain Hwy, Snellville, GA 30039.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eternalhillsfuneralhome.com for the Henry family.