Mary Ellen Banks Hensley, age 93, of Burnsville, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 10th, 2022 at the home of her son, Danny Ray. A native of Yancey County, she was the daughter of the late Luther and Mildred Tipton Banks. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Horace Daniel Ray, Jr.; a son, Kevin Ray; and her second husband, Roy Hensley.
Mary Ellen graduated as Salutatorian of her graduating class at Burnsville High School, then went on to become President of the Pensacola Community Club. She played a crucial part in the movement to pave Highway 197, Bolens Creek Road, and Bee Branch Road. She proudly served as the clerk at Low Gap Freewill Baptist Church, where she also led Bible School and taught Sunday School. She served as President of County Home Restoration Club where she aided in preserving history for many old churches and other old buildings that were represented in her oil paintings. In her free time, she enjoyed playing shuffleboard and was honored to be inducted into the USA National Shuffleboard Hall of Fame in 2017.
Surviving is her son, Danny Ray and his wife, Tonya, of Burnsville; granddaughters: Shanondoah Marcil (Ray) of Anchorage, AK, Whitney Phillips (Landon) of Clemmons, NC and Summer Watson (Chase) of Aiken, SC; step-grandchildren: Nathan Hensley, Rachelle Hensley and Allen Hensley; great-grandchildren: Westin, Harper, and Raylan and step-great-grandchildren: Ellen and Mollie; and daughter-in-law, Rebecca Ray. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 15th, 2022 at Low Gap Freewill Baptist Church, where the family will have a meet and greet in the fellowship hall following the service. Rev. Rick Ray and Rev. Blaine Whitson will officiate. To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.yanceyfuneralservice.com.