JOHN DAVID HENLEY

JOHN DAVID HENLEY, a resident of the Somerville Community, retired Electrician and United States Veteran died Monday evening, November 23, 2009 at the Methodist Fayette Hospital in Somerville where he had been a patient for three weeks. He was 78 years of age and died following an extended illness.

Funeral Services with Military Honors were conducted for Mr. Henley at 3 P.M. Wednesday, December 2nd at the Mount Olive Baptist Church in the District 15 Community. The officiating Ministers were Rev. Don Hammons, Pastor of the church and Rev. Barry Bishop. Interment followed in the Oak Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Escondido, California. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-Main Chapel of Somerville.

Mr. Henley was born in Somerville on September 3, 1931 the son of the late James Walter Henley and the late Nora Burton Leath Henley.

He received his education in the Fayette County Public School System and was a United States Navy Veteran during the Korean War Period.

He was employed as an Electrician for Boeing Aircraft in earlier years and in later years was a self-employed Electrical and Construction Contractor before his retirement.

He was the husband of the late Virginia Lea Henley and returned to Fayette County after retirement.

A member of the Mount Olive Baptist Church and devoted family-oriented person, his favorite activities included fishing, reading, hunting, bowling and playing computer games.

An avid Western Movie "buff" with a great love for horses, Mr. Henley was well known and loved by many for his colorful and vibrant story telling ability.

Survivors of Mr. Henley include his daughter, Sherry Lea of Tulsa, OK; his son, Rob Henley (Julie) of San Diego, CA; his sister-in-law, Clara Henley of Somerville; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and a number of nieces and nephews.

The last surviving sibling of his family, he was preceded in death by three sisters: Willie Mae Ashley, Annie Bob Bishop and Maudie Beatrice Brown and three brothers: James William Henley, Audrey Burton Henley and Wilburn Eugene Henley.

Those who honored Mr. Henley by serving as casket bearers were David McKenzie, Malcolm Bishop, Jr., Willie Brown, Danny Wilson, Jerry Lynn Henley and John Tamoglia, Jr.

John McKenzie, Earl McKenzie, Otis Brown, Boyd Brown, John E. Henley, Jerry Henley, Morris Bishop, Edward Bishop, Lloyd R. Bishop, W. D. Bishop, Harry Bishop, Tony Ashley, Bill Young, Carl Taylor and Audie Bishop were honorary casket bearers.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Mount Olive Baptist Church, 9580 Jernigan Drive, Somerville, TN, 38068; Phone: (901) 465-6053 or to the Mount Olive Cemetery Association, C/O Emily Joyce Douglas, Treasurer, 514 Oak Street, Somerville, TN 38068, Phone: (901) 465-2682.