Shirley Mae Hensley

Shirley Mae Hensley of Emporia, went to be with Jesus on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at her home surrounded by family.  She was 94.

Shirley was born on January 12, 1930, in Olpe, Kansas, the daughter of William and Carrie Ester Gramke.  She married Paul W. Hensley on June 20, 1948, in Olpe, Kansas.  He died on November 13, 2018, in Emporia.

She is survived by her sons, Michael (Jeanne) Hensley of Topeka, Tim Hensley of Emporia, Greg (LeAnn) Hensley of Emporia; daughter Shannon (Mike) Schumann of Emporia; grandchildren, Nicole Woodward, Jamie Granado Jessica Lang, Jeremy Rhodes, Bridget Hensley, David Hensley, Justin Hensley, Nicholas Hensley, Tiara Hensley, Jerrod Schumann and Kali Carson; great-grandchildren, Breanna Couch, Carter Granado, Isabelle Granado, Cambrie Granado, Brynley Granado, Chance Lang, Evan Lang, Tyler Lang, Talan Rhodes, Hunter Rhodes, Brooklynn Rhodes, Cora Woodward, Olivia Woodward, Alice Woodward, Adrian Garcia, Jaydon Hensley, Brekin Hensley, Ryken Hensley, Kayson Hensley, Kye Hensley, Daylor Hensley, Grace Carson, Jack Carson, Emily Schumann and Jude Schumann; great-great-grandchildren, Daniel Garcia, Tony Garcia and Harper Couch; sister, Barbara Wheeler of Wichita.

She is preceded by her parents, husband, daughter Sharon Rhodes, brothers Jack and William Gramke, and sisters Bertha Gramke, Wilma Stone and Carol Shuck.

Shirley was a Daycare Provider for 45 years before retiring in 2009.  She was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Emporia.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home in Emporia.  Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m., Monday, September 23, 2024, at Messiah Lutheran Church with burial following at Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions to the Emporia Friends of the Zoo or Praire Paws Animal Rescue can be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.