John Pelemond Henley

John Pelemond “J.P.” Henley, longtime resident of the Somerville Community, retired farmer and U.S. Army World War II Veteran died Wednesday morning, January 25, 2012 at the National Health Care Center in Somerville where he had resided for 2-½ months. He was 86 years of age and died following an extended illness.

Services of Remembrance with Military Honors for Mr. Henley will be conducted at 11 A.M. Saturday, January 28th at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Bro. Don Green of the East Frayser Church of Christ officiating. Special remarks will be provided by Elliot Lambert and a congregational singing will be led by Nathan Green. Interment will follow in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery  near Laconia. A visitation for Mr. Henley will be from 6 to 8 Friday evening at Peebles West Chapel at Oakland. Arrangements will be provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes and Cremation Center — West Chapel of Oakland.

Mr. Henley was born September 11, 1925 in the Laconia Community to the late Elijah Newsom Henley and the late Evie Lena Montague Henley, early residents of the Laconia Community. He received his education in the Fayette County Public School System and served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army during the World War II period. He was a recipient of numerous awards and commendations that included the World War II Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, two Bronze Service Stars and the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon.

Mr. Henley had a lifelong love for agriculture and farming. He was involved with his farming operation for over 60 years that included both hogs and cattle. He was a lifelong resident of Fayette County and was a member of the Stanton Church of Christ. He enjoyed special times with family and friends, church activities, singing, Bible reading, gardening and hunting. Mr. Henley will be remembered as a person devoted to the upkeep and care of the Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Laconia that serves as a final resting place for many of his family members.

Mr. Henley is survived by three daughters, Loretta Lena Morgan (Wendell) of Burns, TN, Deborah Marie Harvey (Alec) of Mason, Kathy Tippit (Will) of Somerville; his son, Elijah Cecil Henley (Elizabeth) of Somerville; his sister, Dolly Henley Dunavant of Memphis; his sister-in-law, Ada Mae Henley of Batesville, AR; eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Mr. Henley was preceded in death by his son, Mickey Dwight Henley; his sister, Evie Mae Henley Baggett; and two brothers, Charles N. Henley and Noble Henley.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers will be John T. Baggett, Wesley Baggett, Landon Morgan, Chris Vernon, Jacob Burns and Josh McNabb.
Honorary casketbearers will be Charles Adams, Darrell Beard and C.W. Montague.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association, 5400 Lambert Drive, Somerville, TN 38068 or the Somerville Church of Christ for Hungarian Missions, 15925 U.S. Highway 64, Somerville, TN 38068.