Bernice Marie Sawyer Hensley
Bernice Marie Sawyer Hensley
Funeral services for Bernice Marie Sawyer Hensley, 90, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 24, 2022 in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Hensley passed away at 10:37 p.m., Thursday, October 20, 2022, at West Vue Green House Homes.
She was born on June 26, 1932, in Only, Tennessee to Eli Newton and Mandy Lou Scott Sawyer. At the age of nine, her family loaded up and left the tobacco fields of Tennessee and moved to the flatlands of Risco, Missouri, where they worked in the cotton fields. It was in those cotton fields that she met a young man from Birch Tree named Dewey Duane Hensley, who would become the love of her life. They were married on March 16, a beautiful spring day in Piggot, Arkansas. Shortly after getting married, they moved to West Plains, Missouri, where they made a wonderful life together, raising their two daughters, Brenda Elaine and Lois June. Marie worked at Luna’s Laundry and Crones Blackberry Canning Factory before becoming the first woman bottle inspector at the Dr. Pepper Bottling Plant. She continued her career at the Coca-Cola Plant, where she trained other men and women in the trade. In 1974 she became a full-time farmer, raising cattle and feeder pigs. She and Duane became one of the largest feeder pig farmers in the area. They loved traveling with their grandkids to show their pigs. Marie was a member of Berean Baptist Church since 1960. She enjoyed being a Sunday School and Bible School teacher. She introduced many kids to Jesus and wasn’t afraid to smack them if they got out of line. She loved loading up a bunch of area kids and taking them to bible camp during the summer. She took her calling to the Lord very seriously and was a witness to many. There was always room at her table for one more because her door was always open to share a cup of coffee or a cold coke. Marie loved playing a competitive game of softball with her Sawyer family. She also enjoyed playing volleyball and was a great bowler, winning many awards. She was active in 4H and the PTA when her girls were young. She loved going to ballgames, track meets, or any events her grandkids were involved in. She was always ready for a game of cards, horseshoes, or putting a puzzle together. She loved a good water fight or playing in the snow. Mrs. Hensley was a member of Ozark Spring Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.
She is survived by one daughter, Lois Hensley Frazier and husband, Rick; five granddaughters, Mary Ann Guilliams Kenslow and husband, Scott, Sarah Guilliams Janchyshyn and husband, Michael, Jessica Joice Frazier and fiancé, Clint Warren, Christy Frazier Englehart and husband, Paul and Alison Frazier Head and husband, Danny; one grandson, James Adam Guilliams and wife, Allison; six great-grandsons, Isaac, Caleb, Connor, James David, Dalton and Noah; four great-granddaughters, Avery, Addison, Heidi Marie and Sydney; two sisters, Mary Lou Wilson and Bet Gwaltney; two sisters-in-law, Vivion Ketron and Nina Hensley-Antel; son-in-law, Jim Guilliams; and many special nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Brenda Guilliams and siblings, Grace, Grady, and Harice.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Bethlehem Cemetery, Birch Tree, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to Cystic Fibrosis of West Plains or Berean Baptist Church and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Mary E Evans
October 21, 2022 @ 9:49 am
Lois and family, Mary Ann and family, I’m so sorry
beverlie P dunlap
October 21, 2022 @ 2:21 pm
I was so privileged to have her as an Aunt, she was one of the only people I have ever known in my life that was truly “Good”, inside and out. I loved her with all of my heart.
Lois and all of her grandkids and great grand kids I am so sorry for your loss.
Paula Miller
October 21, 2022 @ 2:42 pm
Lois and family, so sorry for your loss.
Trish Knight
October 23, 2022 @ 7:28 am
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom & Granny. She was well loved & a very special person. I know she will be missed.
Amber Redburn
October 21, 2022 @ 2:48 pm
Lois, Rick, & Jessica/Clint and Mary Ann, Scott, & Avery,
Our Deepest Sympathy to all of you on the passing of Marie. She was a wonderful caring individual and a wonderful sense of humor. We will be keeping all of you in our daily prayers/thoughts and may God comfort, encourage, strengthen, and give all of you peace. May God bless all of you.
In Christian Love,
Norris/Ivene Cozort
Tim, Amber, and Corby Redburn
Kathy Franks
October 21, 2022 @ 4:20 pm
Lois, so sorry for the loss of your mother.
Gloria Cowens
October 22, 2022 @ 7:09 pm
Lois so sorry for your loss. I didn’t know her very well but she was a nice lady. ?
Dan and alicesmith
October 21, 2022 @ 5:32 pm
Lois and family. Prayers are with you during this time of loss. I feel so blessed to have had marie throughout my life. She lived christ’s love every moment. What an example for us!!!! She was a powerhouse of unconditional love. Prayers that you will experience gods peace, comfort, and love during this time. Marie’s family has truly carried on their wonderful heritage of showing gods love.
Susan Barton
October 22, 2022 @ 7:48 am
My sweet friend. How I will miss your smile and being full of it. Love you all. Prayers for peace and comfort
Diane Adams
October 22, 2022 @ 3:16 pm
To all the family I send thoughts and prayers for your loss. Mrs Marie was a great lady with the most beautiful smile.
Patt Harper
October 22, 2022 @ 7:46 pm
Prayers for your family
Craig and Sherri Cromer
October 23, 2022 @ 6:40 pm
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Mary Pendergrass De Siqueira
October 23, 2022 @ 8:42 pm
Sending lots of love and prayers to the entire family and especially to Lois, Rick, and Jessica at the loss of your beloved mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.
Mary Pendergrass De Siqueira and Family
Mitch Allen
October 23, 2022 @ 8:42 pm
So very sorry to see that this great lady has gone to her Lord and Savior. She was truly special to myself and my family. I pray Gods peace and comfort for all of you Lois.
Mike and Debbie Woods
October 24, 2022 @ 8:33 am
So sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mark and Trish Cotter
October 24, 2022 @ 10:11 am
Sarah and Michael,
We are so sorry to hear about your grandma. If we can help in any way, please let us know.
Shelbi eggert and family
October 24, 2022 @ 11:38 am
Rick, Lois, Jessica and family we are so sorry for your loss. She always had a big smile on her face and now we know where Lois got it from. Your in our prayers today and the days to come.
David and Carrie Thompson
October 25, 2022 @ 4:41 pm
Sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for Lois, Rick, Jessica and family.
Bud and Marie Nale
October 27, 2022 @ 10:55 am
Lois and Family, we are so sorry for the loss of your Mother. Praying for peace and comfort.
Melinda (Burgess) King
November 10, 2022 @ 8:05 pm
Lois, let the image of your Mom’s Heavenly reunion bring peace to your hurting heart. You treated your Mom so lovingly and patiently. You were her biggest advocate.