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JONESBOROUGH – Anita G. Hensley, born on November 8, 1954, in Flag Pond, TN, passed peacefully at home in Jonesborough, TN on August 27, 2023 after winning her battle with cancer. Her loving family was by her side. She was preceded in death by her father Joe Gleason Pate, mother Wanda Sparks, Step-Father Lewis Sparks, Jr, and brother Ricky “Squirrel” Pate.

Anita is survived by her loving husband of almost 53 years Carl Hensley. Son Jason Hensley and his wife Brenda. Grandsons Jordan Hensley (Myckenzie Kramer), William Hensley, Matthew Hensley (Samara Waldrop). Siblings Floyd Pate and wife TJ, Sandra Jo Lee, Tom Sparks (Lisa Tygart), Jack Sparks, Jean Keys, and husband Clay; and many nieces, nephews, and members of her extended family.

Anita married the love of her life Carl on September 25, 1970. She was a proud graduate of the first class of David Crockett High School in 1972. Anita loved her work and gave her all at everything she did. She began her working career at Watauga Apparel, where she worked for 20 years. She then worked at Impact Plastics for 30 years and found joy in serving others for the last 3 years at Friends In Need Health Center.

Anita loved serving her Church, Fairview Methodist Church, where she was the children’s coordinator for over 40 years. She grew the children’s program from one room of children to having so many children that they would have to run multiple van routes. Her true impact could never be truly measured on this side of heaven. She served in many other roles at Fairview and was the face you saw planning almost every event.

Anita loved spending time with family & friends. She loved to watch her son coach football, watching her grandsons in all their sports and activities, spending time with her husband, and going on girls’ trips with the girls from Church.

Anita loved her family, her Church, and her work but above all else she loved Jesus Christ as evidenced by how she lived out His love each day through serving others humbly without thought of herself. She was an amazing leader in everything she did, from Church, to work to family. Anita was kindhearted to everyone she met along the way. Serving God and his people are what made Anita happy!

A service will be held Tuesday, August 29th at 6pm at Fairview Methodist Church with receiving of friends from 3-6pm. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery that same evening. The Pallbearers will be Ray Pelow, Pete Sokol, Kim Woods, Greg Davis, Caleb Bennett, Tommy Dickerson, Steve Dickerson, and Jeremy Dockery. Honorary Pallbearers will be the men of Fairview Methodist Church.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Stefany Sparks Brewer, Teresa Tino, and Debbie Carr for their assistance during this difficult time. If you would like to make a memorial donation, please send it to Fairview Methodist Church (878 Highway 81 North Jonesborough, TN 37659) in honor of Anita’s life legacy lived out in service to others!