Ossie P. Hensley

Ossie Patricia “Pat” Hensley, 91, of St. Joseph, our beloved mother and grandmother went home to the precious and comforting arms of her Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, on Wednesday, February 15, 2006, at Buchanan Meadows Living Center with her family present and to reunite with her twin sister Elsie Gray, who preceded her in death on June 30, 1976, and the rest of her loving family, which included her parents, four more sisters, and four brothers. All of her suffering has ended, but she will be greatly missed by her family; daughters, Shirley (Wayne) Gay of Hartford and Peggy (Jim) Mohn of Coloma; sons, Richard (Ida) Hensley of St. Joseph and Michael (Patti) Hensley of Berrien Springs; five grandchildren, Jeff Mohn, Jamie Mohn, Laurie Lesauskis, Kevin Murphy, and Cary Hensley; four step-grandchildren, Albert Lopez, Marion Huff, Tracy Gay, and Holly Gay; seven great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.Ossie was born March 28, 1914, in Knoxville, Tennessee to James Robert and Emma Mary (Hodges) Gray. She married George Clinton Hensley on May 20, 1933, who preceded her in death on January 26, 1985. Ossie worked in ladies wear at Rimes & Hildebrand, Ollie’s, and Terry’s. She loved being a mother and grandmother and loved the holidays with family. She also loved vegetable gardening with her husband. She had a special love for her dog and bird which she taught to speak. Ossie was a life member of the First Baptist Church of Benton Harbor that became the New Life Baptist Church of St. Joseph, where she loved singing in the choir and had many loving friends. See you later, Mom. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2006, at 10:00 AM, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Pastor Blair Hayward officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family on Monday, February 20, 2006, at the funeral home from 3:00 to 5:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 P.M and Tuesday one hour prior to the service. Memorial donations may be made to Buchanan Meadows Living Center or Humane Society of SW MI. Friends may send the family a condolence message on-line at www.starks-menchinger.com.