Charles LeRoy Hensley

God sent his special guardian angels to accompany home a saint, Charles LeRoy Hensley, on his 79th birthday, November 6, 2013. Long known among the angels in Heaven, they hastened at God’s command, but waited until Nov. 6 after Charles had been serenaded by his family on earth with a special song, “Thank You For Giving to the Lord.”

Charles LeRoy Hensley was born November 6, 1934, in Lake City, Arkansas, to Bert and Ila (Edwards) Hensley. He was the oldest of seven children.

From the beginning, everyone knew there was something special about this young man, who at an early age was already showing his gifts, talents and great character. He was truthful, hard working, wanting to do everything in the very best way, from playing basketball to hurrying home from school to help his Dad plow the cotton fields. Charles and his brother Wayne also had kitchen duties since their Mother also helped their Dad in the fields. He attended school in Caraway, Arkansas, but left before graduation to work in a factory in Rockford, Illinois. In Rockford, he worked as a machinist at National Lock, where he and Betty Lou Lee met. He was a biker, but a good one and loved his Harley. Charles was introduced to Betty by her brother Floyd, and together Charles and Betty formed a wonderful union that lasted almost 60 years. Betty was down to earth, practical minded, and more reserved. Charles was outgoing, never met a stranger, always looking for the positive in life. He loved playing the guitar with his brother-in-law Floyd and other family members, and formed a special bond of getting together and playing and singing, western, country and gospel music.

Patriotic doesn’t even adequately describe him. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 1957 as an artillery weapons repairman and completed two years active and four years reserve service. The Marines remained in his heart forever, and his patriotism flourished and became contagious to the end. He never passed the US flag without mentioning its special meaning. He wore his Marine Corps cap daily—given to him by family—and loved to tell stories about what the Marines meant to him.

Charles and Betty moved to Tulsa in 1960 and he became a carpenter and also worked for years for Dewey Portland Cement Company. He was so great at his job there, even after he had been gone for several years, the company asked if he could return to fix a problem there that only he could do. Being a perfectionist, he was so happy to be asked to do it. Charles and Betty welcomed their only child Jeffrey in 1961 in Tulsa, and Jeff became such a great part of everything they did, and Jeff and his Dad were inseparable.

Charles accepted the Lord with his whole heart in 1962 and was called into the ministry soon thereafter. He loved God and people and gave 110% of himself to both. He was the Associate Pastor at Campmeeting Tabernacle Church in Tulsa and helped physically build two churches there. He also spiritually poured his heart and soul into young people’s lives there. His early guitar playing became a part of his life again, as he continued to express his love of God and others through his singing and playing.

In 1976, Charles and Betty felt a call to leave Tulsa and evangelize, so the three of them sold their home, packed their belongings, and headed to Arkansas, his home state, and evangelized for two years, with Jeff playing the drums, Charles played the guitar, and the three of them ministered in songs. They visited the Iowa Park First Assembly of God Church and were called as pastors there in 1978. For almost twenty years, they faithfully, lovingly and with all their resources, energy and hearts, gave to this church and its members. Charles was a carpenter, electrician and welder and he used his past trades, working on the church buildings, custom building areas, always improving what had been done. He loved doing things to perfection and always felt “God’s House” should be in the best of shape.

During this time, they welcomed their wonderful daughter-in-law, Renee Williams, and along came Caleb, their only grandchild, the delight of everyone. He was such a joy, and Charles delighted in spending time and doing things with him. Caleb developed the gift of playing a guitar, like his Granddad, which also delighted Charles.

Betty and Charles were a constant source of love and care to Betty’s mother, Gracie Lee, over the years, restoring and repairing her home. Charles and Jeff built a wonderful ramp for her and after she had a fall and broke her pelvis at age 96, she walked down that ramp again, and loved it.

Charles’ heart was sold out to God so he easily welcomed each opportunity to minister not only to his church members, but also to family members. He was so instrumental in encouraging and leading many of both sides of the family to the Lord. When a visiting evangelist or guest speaker arrived for a revival at his church, he and Betty would ensure the evangelist and his family was well cared for on all levels, where they stayed, good food, and given the best love offering the church could afford. One of the highlights of his years as Pastor at First Assembly was a trip to Israel. He told us he would never be the same again after being in the tomb where Jesus was laid.

In 1997, God had been speaking to Charles about retiring as the Pastor, but not as a minister, so he bravely pursued a new career with his brother-in-law, Mike, building steel-framed homes. Eventually, his son Jeffrey joined them, and their travels took them all over the U.S. Charles spent a wonderful seven month trip to Brazil, and helped build four homes there. One of the highlights of that trip to Brazil was meeting a missionary his church had helped for many years while he was at First Assembly. He was so proud to get to see some physical fruits of their labor.

In early 2000, his life attitude of “family next after God” surfaced and Charles decided to build a steel-framed home for his Mom and sisters in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Betty stayed in Iowa Park and helped care for her Mom. His dear Mom got to spend one year in that beautiful home created and built by Charles. After her death, he felt God speaking to him about his and Betty’s retirement home there in Jonesboro and decided building a suite onto the family home, now occupied by his two sisters, was the thing to do. It was a beautiful home built on a hill, among the gorgeous pines. Betty joined him in 2004 and they enjoyed this beautiful home and his family there for 8 more years.

Charles was assigned a special job of remodeling a big old home in the country. He spent several years there and his nephew, Michael, was a great help to him during this time. Betty used her energy and time caring for elderly people God sent her way.

Betty’s Mother, Gracie Lee, had weathered many years with Betty and Charles care before they left, and during the last few months of her life, in 2009, at almost 99 years of age, Betty and Charles dropped everything in Arkansas and came back to Iowa Park to help with her Mother’s end-of-life care. Their help was so great and made the rest of the caregivers’ jobs so much easier.

They returned to Jonesboro after her Mother’s death in 2009. Charles was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2010, but its effects were minimal. Charles’ sisters, Sharon, Betty Jane and Medrith, were so helpful in making sure he and Betty were being helped in every way they could. As his Alzheimers worsened, Betty realized she needed to be near their son in Iowa Park for his help, and their grandson also lived near. So, in 2012, she and Charles moved back to their home in Iowa Park with their son there to help, as well as all of the rest of her big family living there.

In the throes of this disease, Betty cared for Charles with such perfection, and so much help from her son Jeff, and all the rest the family could give. She took special care and kept Charles groomed and looking great at all times, knowing that he would be so disappointed if he looked unpresentable. To the very end, the honor Betty bestowed on her husband was immeasurable. She looked beyond great difficulties with this disease and daily became the eyes and ears for Charles, taking care so diligently, yet allowing him to be a part of so many fun things the final year, including many family reunions with the Hensley family in Arkansas, the Lee family in Oklahoma, and many fun trips. One final special trip was attending the wedding of his grandson, Caleb. Charles will be further remembered by Caleb and Jennifer in their naming their son, due any minute, Arthur Charles Hensley, after his great grandfather.

Charles was the “light” of both sides of his family and he will remain forever in their hearts. He truly exemplified Psalms 37:23, “The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord, and He delights in His Way.”

Charles was preceded in death by his mother and father, and a sister Rhuedel Farley. His survivors include his wife Betty of Iowa Park, Texas, his son Jeffrey Hensley and daughter-in-law, Renee, of Iowa Park, Texas, and grandson Caleb and wife, Jennifer of Denton, Texas; brothers Wayne Hensley and wife, Bonnie, of Port Aransas, Texas and Robert Lee Hensley of Caraway, Arkansas; sisters Elizabeth Jane Hensley of Jonesboro, Arkansas; Sharon Hensley Charolla of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Medrith Hensley Groves and husband, Wayne, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Great Grandson Arthur Charles Hensley, due any time.

Charles’ family would like to thank the wonderful In Home Nurses from Hospice, especially Vicki and Val, who faithfully cared for him in home, and then all the marvelous Hospice Facility Staff who not only cared for him with the greatest care and love, but this same love and care were extended to the entire family of Charles.

In memory of Charles, donations are suggested to the Friendly Door Senior Citizens Center, 800 N. Third, Iowa Park, TX 76367, or Hospice, 4909 Johnson Road, Wichita Falls, TX 76310.

Services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M., Saturday, November 9, 2013, at Lakeview Church of God, 301 SE Access Road, Iowa Park, Texas. Rev. Jerry Lee from Mesquite, Texas, and Mike and Margie Negri of Iowa Park, will be officiating at the service. The closing service will be held at the Pavilion at Highland Cemetery with Mike Negri officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery under the direction of Dutton Funeral Home. Visitation will be Friday evening, November 8, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Dutton Funeral Home.