Martha Ann Hensley

Martha Ann (Slusher) Hensley, who loved to be called “Mom” by her kids, “Nana” by her grandchildren, “Grammy” or “MiMi” by her great grandchildren and “Ann” by her friends departed her loving family on March 23, 2024.

Ann was born in Bell County Kentucky on April, 27, 1943 to William and Martha (Roark) Slusher. She was the youngest of seven children and her father was a coal miner. She often told of her childhood and how proud she was that her parents purchased a home when she was in the fourth grade. That was when she started attending school with her future husband as his mother was her school teacher for several years.

Ann was united in marriage to Charles P. Hensley on August 5, 1963. She was mother to Gary, Jill, Andrea and Scott. She raised her children with love and devotion in Kansas City, Missouri with her husband.

Ann was first a mother and housewife. As her children became school age she went to work. She worked at the Jones Store in Kansas City for several years in the office. She then went into real estate which was her favorite job. She made lifelong friends and found joy in helping families find their new home. She had great love for her hobbies: crochet, sewing, quilting, gardening and landscape. She made many clothes and quilts for her family. Her crochet and quilting gifts are still cherished by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She gave many gifts to dear friends also from her hobbies. She won ribbons at events for some of her quilts while living in Ocala, Florida. When she lived in Kansas City her yard was always a showcase in the annual Kansas City Garden Tour of Master Gardeners.

Ann and her husband traveled for two years after retirement before settling in Ocala, Florida. They moved back to the Kansas City area in December of 2012. In the fall of 2020 Ann moved to St. Louis to spend time with her daughter Andrea and her family. In 2022 she moved with Andrea’s family to Arizona. Everywhere she lived her care takers felt she was so sweet and they loved her dearly. She was always happy and full of laughter.

Ann is survived by her sister Betty Hendrickson; her children Gary and Neva Hensley, Jill Rae and David Bailey, Andrea and Steve Zinselmeyer, Scott and Jill Hensley, grandchildren Stephanie Hart, Joshua Hart (Amanda), Garrett Hensley, Nicolle Thurneyssen (Andre), Tanner Hensley (Amanda), Bentley Zinselmeyer, Emma Hensley, and Macklin Zinselmeyer; her great grandchildren, Juliann Jones, Calonzo Edwards, Jakoby Hart and Keeva Rey Hart; numerous nephews, nieces and special friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Hensley; her parents William and Martha Slusher; her sisters Sudie Roark and Francis Wilder; her brothers Enoch Slusher, William “Billy” Slusher and Corbalee Slusher.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association can be made in Ann’s name.