She was born October 4, 1939, in Kingsport, Tennessee to the late Charles William and Floy Emmaline Akers Darnell. Shelby adored her daughter, grandsons, and great-grandchildren. Above all, Shelby loved her Lord and Savior and was a longtime member of Apostolic Lighthouse Church where she loved to sing.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Dean Merry Hensley, twin sister, Shirley Darnell, and a brother Dennis Darnell.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Lisa Sims; grandsons, Aaron Sims and Dustin Sims; sister, Phyllis Arnold; great – grandchildren, Dustin Gage Sims, Mason Blaze Sims, Malcolm Wyatt Sims, and Darren Oliver Sims. Shelby is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 12:00 P.M. until 1:45 P.M. at East Lawn Funeral Home. A service will follow at 2:00 P.M. in the East Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jonathan Loveless officiating. Interment in East Lawn Memorial Park will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Shelby’s memory will be made to the Pat Summit Foundation or the Salvation Army.
East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park is honored to serve the family of Ms. Shelby Hensley.
