James Paul Henley

James Paul Henley, 89, passed away on Monday, August 10, 2015, at St. Dominic’s Hospital. He was born on September 10, 1925, at Deemer Camp outside of Philadelphia, MS. He attended Philadelphia High School before being drafted into the Navy during his senior year. He proudly served his country in the Navy during World War II. After his time in the Navy, he attended and graduated from the University of Mississippi “Ole Miss,” where he received his degree in Geological Engineering. While at Ole Miss, he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, and he met the love of his life, Mary Jane Eckles Henley.

They married on October 19, 1951, in Jackson, where they lived their entire married life. He enjoyed working for several oil companies as a land man.

Mr. Henley was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, and he loved being surrounded by his family. He was known as “Pop” and dearly loved by all of them. He was the rock of the family and served as the “Northern Star” as he always pointed his children and grandchildren in the right direction. His Christ-like example will leave a wonderful legacy for his family to follow. He always said his obituary should only say, “Born a redneck, married a princess, and lived happily ever after.”

Mr. Henley was recently preceded in death in June by his wife of 63 years, Mary Jane Eckles Henley. He is also preceded in death by his father, Marvin B Henley and his mother Elnamaye Smith Henley. He is survived by his children James Paul Henley, Jr. (Kathy), Janie Henley Davis (Arthur), Holly Henley Story (Danny), and Nan Henley Dear (Glen). He is also survived by his grandchildren Mary Jane Davis Meyer (Greg), Arthur Davis, Paul Davis, J.P. Henley, Caroline Maye Henley, Sarah Story Dean (Paul), Emily Story Saxton (Grant), Janie Story, Maryanna Story, Mary Alice Dear, Betsy Nicholson Dear (Chandler), and Jameson Dear and his great-grandson Grey Meyer. He also leaves behind his sister, Doris Henley Murphy; brother, Bobby Jack Henley (Johnnie); brother-in-law and lifelong friend, Buddy Griffin; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be at First Presbyterian of Jackson on Wednesday, August 12, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. and the graveside at Parkway Memorial Cemetery in Ridgeland at 4:00 p.m.

Our family would like to thank the First Presbyterian Church staff for continuing to lovingly care for our father and support him and us though these trying times. We also want to thank the precious people who tirelessly loved and cared for our father: Brenda Wells, Salina Burnside, La Shunda Haymon, Glenda Hills, Nella Hall, and Evetter Perkins. We gratefully thank Dr. Reid Cotten for providing excellent care for our father and loving him as family. He had a special group of friends, who were very dear to him, that he regularly met for coffee and Wednesday lunch. He truly loved meeting with them as he said they were always “solving the world’s problems.” We thank them for being a constant part of his life and continually checking on him. A special thanks to our wonderful family and friends who have embraced and loved our family through these difficult months. Finally, we thank our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the solid Rock on whom we stand.

Memorials may be given to First Presbyterian Church and Reformed Theological Seminary.