Lena Ponder Hensley, 96, of Mars Hill, passed away Wednesday, March 27, 2019. She is the daughter of the late Nasby and Bessie Robinson Ponder and a lifelong resident of Madison County. Mrs. Hensley retired from Vanderbilt Shirt Company and was a member of California Creek Baptist Church. She is also preceded in death by her husband Willard Hensley; son, David Hensley and wife Vinita; sisters, Trilby Robinson, Annette Stamey, Winnie Lou Hunter, and Gertrude Hollifield; brothers, Stanley, Nasby Jr., Ralph, and Franklin Ponder.

Mrs. Hensley is survived by her son, Richard Hensley (Helen); grandchildren, Denita Chandler (Bobby), Danny Craig (Pat), and Renee Hensley; seven great grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 3pm Sunday, March 31, 2019, at Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service. Reverends Terry Gardner and Billy Styles will officiate. Burial will follow at California Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

At other times, the family will be at the home of Bobby and Denita Chandler, 22 Pack Place, Mars Hill, NC 28754.

The family would like to thank the staff of Madison Health and Rehabilitation Center for the loving care they extended to Mrs. Hensley.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.