Virginia "Ginger" Jane Henley's Obituary
Virginia “Ginger” Jane Henley, 84, of Longview passed away on Friday, October 9, 2020. She was born on April 7, 1936 in Gilmer, TX to parents Carl and Loise Bunt. She attended Hallsville High School where she proudly participated as a majorette. She married Larry Henley in 1961; they had two children Jason and Shannon.
Ginger had a natural love for children. She brought this love to life by opening a private daycare for over 25 years. Some of those children would even come up to her years later with hugs and smiles recalling pleasant memories of her care. Ginger had a genuine and sweet spirit. She was a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Ginger always had a servant’s heart and embraced service as her earthly calling. Additionally, she was a wonderful cook and enjoyed cooking delicious meals for family, friends, or those in need. She always believed in helping people through their time of need, family or otherwise. She was classy, beautiful inside and out, and carried herself with a humble, yet graceful presence.
She believed that families are forever. The thought alone never ceased to bring a smile to her face. Ginger had a unique bond with her two sisters, Sue and Deborah, one might even say the three of them were inseparable. They lived within a mile of each other and shared countless memories together. Her late brother Max was also special to her, he called her “Sister”, a phrase only reserved for her (despite the fact that Ginger was not the only sister).
Her children, Jason and Shannon, were her greatest accomplishments. She was wholeheartedly dedicated to their success. Her proudest moments were seeing who they had grown to become. The luminous light in her life were her grandchildren, who came to know her as GiGi. Her kids and grandkids gave her something to fight for, they gave her motivation, and they gave her the strength to go on. She was a lover of Coca-Cola, shopping, and the laughter of her grandchildren.
Those left to cherish her memory are: her son, Jason Henley, his wife, Sheila Henley, and their children, Justin and Brooke, from Nashville, TN; her daughter, Shannon Smith, and her girls, Rylie and Kaylie, from Longview, TX; her sister, Sue Wright, from Longview; her sister, Deborah, and brother-in-law, Rick Johnston, from Longview; her sister-in-law Anna Bunt; and numerous nieces and nephews that called her “Sissie.” She is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Loise Bunt; brother, Max Bunt; father of her children, Larry Henley; and son-in-law, Steve Smith.
Services for Ginger will be held on Monday, October 12, 2020 at Kelsey Cemetery in Gilmer, TX at 1 pm. Visitation and service will be inside the heritage building located at Kelsey Cemetery with a committal service following immediately after.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in her memory to National Adrenal Diseases Foundation to honor her lifelong battle with Addison’s disease.
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