Ilene Blackwell Hensley

Ilene Blackwell Hensley went to be with the Lord on March 3, 2015 at the age of 96 in Mena, Arkansas.

She was born at Octavia, Oklahoma on November 5, 1918 to Jim and Beulah Blackwell. She married her high school sweetheart, Hoyt Hensley, November 1, 1937. She lived at Octavia, Oklahoma most of her life, was of the Baptist faith, loved singing and enjoyed crocheting, making quilts, gardening and canning. She loved babies and helped with the grandkids, great-grandkids and children of friends.

She was preceded in death by an infant daughter; her parents, Jim and Beulah Blackwell; her husband, Hoyt Hensley; a brother, Bob Blackwell; a daughter, Ellen Enlow; her husband Clyde; and a great grandson, Caleb Hoyt Enlow.

She is survived by a son, Glen Hensley and wife Ellen of Octavia, Oklahoma; brother, Horace Blackwell and wife Darlene of Modesto, California; sister-in-law, Georgia Blackwell of Octavia, Oklahoma; and 6 grandchildren, Dennis Hensley and wife Vicki of Heavener, Oklahoma, Will Hensley and wife Judy of Bethel, Oklahoma, Todd Enlow and wife Lori of Tuba City, Arizona, Shea Bowling and husband Dave of Glenpool, Oklahoma, Eric Enlow and wife Shanna of Keys, Oklahoma and Scott Enlow and wife Deon of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. 18 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, 3-great-great-step-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Her work outside the home was to help others when needed. When asked what she did, she would reply, “just a homemaker.” She is partly responsible for a mixture of professions in medical, education, business, law enforcement, a soldier, heavy equipment operators, farmers, ranchers, and more to come. She has outlived most of her peers but a few are left to cherish her memory.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Octavia Baptist Church with Brother Ed Rogers and Brother John King officiating. Interment follows in Octavia Cemetery under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation will be general.

Pallbearers will be Dennis Hensley, Will Hensley, Todd Enlow, Scott Enlow, Eric Enlow, and Dave Bowling.

Honorary pallbearers are Reese Hensley, Chance Hensley, Gavin Enlow, Joshua Bowling, Noah Enlow, and Dewayne Anna.

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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