Tommy Hensley was born December 26, 1940, a few miles west of Coldwater. He very peacefully passed away surrounded by family December 10, 2022, at his home in Arkabutla. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patsy Franks Hensley, daughters, Jennifer Mitchell (David), Michie, TN, and Lynn Holliman (Rocky), Arkabutla, sons, Tony Hensley, Arkabutla and Michael Hensley (Kristy) Coldwater, 8 Grandchildren: Ross Hensley (Kelsey) Marion, AR, Jenny Armstrong (Matt), Richard Ragan (Samantha) both of Corinth, MS, Mallari Hensley, Cherokee Village, AR, Rebecca Holliman Memphis, Lynsey Holliman, Memphis, Rhett Hensley and Marilee Hensley, Coldwater; his sister, Juanita Brown, Strayhorn, sisters in laws: Kay Hensley, Southaven, and Dale Hensley, Strayhorn, twelve great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and a lifelong special friend, Janie Marie Howe Sanders of Conway, AR. Tommy was a Christian and a member of Evansville Baptist Church where he served on the Bus Committee for many years using his automotive repair skills as well as his expertise in vehicle purchasing. He was formerly a member of Carriage Hills and First Baptist Churches in Southaven where the family resided from 1967 to 1987. He went to school from 1st to 10th grade at Arkabutla Grammar and High School until the Tate County Schools consolidated in 1957 after which he attended Senatobia High School and played in the first football game he ever saw. He graduated from Coldwater High School. He grew up helping his parents and others in cotton farming and was very proud of clearing much land for farming in the Tate County area. He also worked in the Louisiana oils fields as a big equipment operator. He began his automotive technician career at Brown & Gulledge in Senatobia. For over 35 years he was in that field rising to a Master Mechanic where his skills were sought after by General Motors for troubleshooting and repairing automobiles. He was certified in many ASE programs and was employed by dealerships in Clarksdale, Memphis and Senatobia. He also owned and operated Hensley Auto Service in Southaven and was a member of the Southaven Chamber of Commerce. In 1997 he returned to school at Mississippi State University and obtained an Educator License and taught Automotive Mechanics for over ten years at DeSoto County Vocational Technology, Southaven, where he excelled and lead his students to State and National Ford/AAA Student competitions. He also participated in the writing of test-items used as part of the CPAS assessment for Secondary Automotive Mechanics program of study with the MS Dept of Education, Office of Vocation and Technical Education. He also served as a Volunteer Deputy for the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department. It is said that “You can take the boy out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the boy” and he was an excellent example. In retirement he returned to Arkabutla and enjoyed his hunting dogs, cattle, horses, chickens, rabbits, guineas, llamas, ponds of fish, etc. and he enjoyed riding in the pasture in his Ranger seeing the cattle, horses, deer and turkeys. From childhood to recent years, he was an avid hunter of quail, doves, pheasants, rabbits, deer, etc. as well as a dog trader evidenced by frequent trips to First Monday in Ripley, MS where he had many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee & Willie Sanders Hensley, Son: William Greg (Bud-Will) Hensley and his Sister, Mary Faith Hensley (1955-1955). Brothers: Oliver Hensley (1939-2021), James David Hensley (1942-1942) and Sherman Hensley (1944-2022). Services were held December 13 at Evansville Baptist Church with Bro. Jim Brown (a nephew) and Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church on Stage Road and Dr. Albert Wilkerson, Pastor of Evansville, officiating. Burial followed in the Church Cemetery off Arkabutla Rd in Tate Co., MS. Pallbearers were: Ross Hensley, Richard Ragan, Riley Ragan, Rhett Hensley, Matt Armstrong, Paul Brown and Darrel Dauthrey. Honorary Pallbearers were: David Mitchell, Rocky Holliman, David Franks, Thomas Sidney Hall, Issam Loutfi, Jim Murphy, Travis Smith and Mario Yates.Memorials may be sent to Evansville Baptist Church, the American Cancer Society or the entity of the donor’s choice. Pate-Jones Funeral Home had charge of the arrangements.
