Gerald Jemison Ensley Sr.

He was the oldest child of Ruth (Pike) and Dewey Edward Ensley, born on March 16, 1939 in Pell City, Alabama. As for many, the depression was still an economic factor in the small town of Pell City in 1939 and family resources were scarce so he started working at a very young age to help his family. He was fueled by his circumstances to be successful.

At 17 he joined the Marines and traveled the world while being an electrician aboard ship.

After returning to Pell City he dated and fell in love with Dorothy Mae Haynes and they were married on December 23, 1960. While they were engaged he built their first house in Eden, a small community of Pell City. They lived there until the mid 70’s before moving to Cropwell.

At this point daddy was working for Kilgroe Heating and Cooling who also happened to be their next door neighbors and would remain life long friends.

Guess what happened next? Along came their first child Janice in 1962 then a son in 1965, Gerald Jr. better known as Brother (because Janice couldn’t pronounce Gerald).

Daddy ventured on to open his own business, Ensley Insulation and Sheet Metal. He installed insulation and gutters to businesses and homes. At the same time they opened a mom and pop restaurant called Dairy Land on Stemley Road that served fast food and ice cream.

In the 70’s he built a 150 lot trailer park he named Shadydale and opened a car wash and gas station called Spic and Span. In the late 70’s he was able to pursue his interest in antique vehicles. We attended many car shows in different states. He had several cars one of which was the same model car Bonnie and Clyde were killed in.

During these years he worked many long hours and many holidays. His family was involved in one way or another in his endeavors. Mother was his bookkeeper and we were all involved in cleaning projects . Brother was his sidekick at Shadydale cutting many acres of grass at a very young age. Brother and Janice pumped gas and washed cars at Spic and Span. It was always a family affair.

Along with his zealous work ethic, Daddy was skilled in plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, and operating heavy equipment. One of his greatest blessings, however, was his wife, who kept his books, worked in the businesses with him, and kept the home running smoothly.

After selling the businesses daddy concentrated on commercial real estate and backhoe work. He was never without a project.

In the 90s he remodeled not one but two commercial buses in order to travel and camp. They were members of the Southeastern Bus Nuts , attended many rallies and made many friends from all over the US.

In the early 2000’s he bought the Rexall Drug and remodeled the upstairs and downstairs keeping the front section where the soda fountain was for a restaurant and the other sections for rental spaces for offices.

Ironically, Janice’s first public job was at the soda fountain at the age of 14.

As the years went by he slowed down but he still arose at 5:30 am, had his morning coffee then went out to check on his projects but not before stopping at Jack’s to see the fellows at the Round Table.

We’re pretty sure when he got to heaven he assessed the pearly gates to see if there were any maintenance issues.

Gerald and Dorothy were life long members of Mt. Pisgah Church.

Special thanks to the men of the Jack’s Round Table who faithfully visited him and brightened his day with doughnuts and friendship. The same special thanks to Donald Whitten, Chris Beck and Perry Walls from Mt . Pisgah who also faithfully visited him.

Extra special thanks to his caregivers. Carmen Lowe who spent Monday -Friday making sure he had everything he needed as well as Lori Felts, Jackie Rogers, and Linda O’Neal who were with him on the weekends.

His wife Dorothy Mae (Haynes) Ensley preceded him in death in 2024. Brothers, Eddie Ensley, Arthur “Butch” Ensley, Greg Ensley, and Paul Ensley preceded him in death.

He is survived by his children Janice Eason and Gerald Jr, brother Jim Ensley and family, Sharon Roach and family as well as many nieces and nephews.

Pall bearers: Johnny Gregg, Fred Frost, Mike Dickinson, Donald Whitten, Allen Roach and Roger Patterson.

A visitation will be 5:00pm to 8:00 pm, Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Kilgroe Funeral Home. A funeral service will be 11:00 am, Monday, March 16, 2026 at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. Burial will be at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Cemetery. Officiating will be Bro. Chris Beck.

Donations can be made to the Shriner’s Hospital.