Obituary of Utha Fern Henson
Utha Fern “Sis” “Meme” Henson, age 91 of Smyrna, TN formerly of Iuka, departed our world peacefully at her daughter’s home in Smyrna on September 18, 2023.
Utha was born on September 2, 1932 in Iuka, the daughter of Everett and Lenora (Wooley) Bumgarner. She married Evans Henson on December 15, 1950 in Iuka and he preceded her in death.
Surviving is her daughter, Jackie Hibdon of Smyrna, TN; granddaughter, Chris McKissack and husband Michael of Clayton, GA; grandson, James Patterson of Smyrna, TN; five great-grandchildren, Mary McKissack, Sarah McKissack, Jonathan McKissack, Benjamin McKissack, and Callie McKissack all of Clayton, GA; one sister, Helen Easley of Gatlinburg, TN; and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Utha was a longtime member of the Reorganized Church of Latter-Day Saints, now Community of Christ, in Poplar Creek, IL. She had worked for Brown Shoe Company until retirement. She taught her family the value of hard work, saving for a rainy day, was an excellent cook, enjoyed deer hunting, enjoyed fishing, and never held back what she was thinking. She was never idle, she enjoyed snapping beans, quilting, embroidery, and mending. In her older years she became a prolific quilt maker and could be found embroidering quilt blocks almost constantly.
Funeral services for Utha Fern Henson will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, September 25, 2023 at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem with Dave McArthur officiating. Burial will follow at Iuka Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 5:00 pm until 6:00 pm at the funeral home.
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