Willie Hensley

Willie Caroline Hensley, 79, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, at the Lutheran Home.

She was born March 16, 1934, in St. Louis, to Herman Christopher and Willie Augustus Bates Kympton. She and Milton P. Crader were married in August 1956 in Lutesville, Mo. He passed away Jan. 1, 1975. She married Edward Lee Hensley on Feb. 14, 1976, at Lutesville. He passed away Feb. 21, 2011.

Mrs. Hensley graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in education. She taught schools in Sikeston, Mo., Perkins, Mo., Wyatt, Mo., and Leopold, Mo., and was librarian 25 years at the Woodland School District in Marble Hill, Mo.

She was a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, VFW Post 3838 Ladies Auxiliary, Missouri State Teachers Association, CTA and the American Association of University Women.

Willie was past president of SEMO School Librarians Association, former Sunday school teacher and past president of the Women's Society of Lutesville Methodist Church. She was listed in Who's Who in Missouri Education and Who's Who of School Districts Personnel nationwide.

She loved her family, including the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren who were recently born into the family. She used to crochet for the grandchildren and family members.

Survivors include two daughters, Helen S. (Jeff) Heise of Cape Girardeau and Diana M. (Rick) Tackett of Ft. Meyers, Fla.; two sons, Douglas E. (Ann) Hensley of Monmouth, Ore., and Steven W. (Lisa) Crader of Jacksonville, Fla.; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by parents, husbands, a brother and four sisters.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until time of service Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the chapel, with the Rev. Paul Short officiating. Burial will be in Baker Cemetery at Marble Hill.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Andrew Church.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.