Gudger  Hensley

Gudger Hensley, age 89, of the Pensacola area, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, March 11th, 2020 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital surrounded by his family.

A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Ulysses and Sally Hensley. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 65 years Ruth Edwards Hensley; a son, Hank Hensley; three sisters and five brothers.

Gudger was a faithful member of Unity Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He had a great love for the Lord and lost souls. After retirement from Glen Raven Mills, he loved ginseng digging, gardening and especially time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by three daughters: Ruby McCurry (Johnny, whom he loved like a son), Rita Hensley Hughes and Juanita Geouge (Randy) all of Burnsville; two sons: Bill Hensley (Joyce) of Burnsville and Roger Hensley (Laurie) of Bakersville; daughter-in-law, Delores Hensley of Burnsville; grandchildren: Shannon Hughes (Dawn) of Asheville, Will Hensley (Jessica) of Burnsville, Josh Hensley (Rebecca), Jason McCurry all of Burnsville, Daniel Hensley of Asheville and Harley Hensley of Virginia, Candida Balliet (Andy) of Burnsville, and Cortnie Hensley of Spruce Pine, and great-grandchildren: Whitney, Mackenzie, Kylie and Kadence Carpenter, Kingston Robinson, Autumn Brooke Hensley, Carson Hensley, Alex, Ashe and Ceileigh Balliet, Emma and Amy McCurry, Lincoln and Harper Hughes.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 15th in the Chapel of Yancey Funeral Services. Preacher Nathaniel Ayers and Preacher Bobby Silver will officiate. Burial will follow in the Marietta Adkins Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandson’s. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 3 p.m. prior to the funeral service at the funeral home.

The family would like to say a very special thank you to Sierra Bennett, Naomi McDowell and Catharine Guincheney and all the wonderful nurses at Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge for the wonderful care given to Gudger. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Judes Children’s Hospital at PO Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.

To send an online condolence please visit:  www.yanceyfuneralservice.com