Dennis Gene Henson was born March 17, 1941, in the Mt. Gilead community of McNairy County, TN, as the eighth child of William Abner Henson and wife, Mary Olive (Moore) Henson. Dennis peacefully departed this life on November 2, 2024, at the age of 83 years, 7 months, and 16 days. Dennis attended school at Rose Creek and later graduated from Selmer High School in 1959. Already established in the farming industry, Dennis enlisted in the Army National Guard to serve his country. In 1967, he met Emma Jo “Sis” Smith. On September 30, 1967, they were married at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church. Dennis moved away from the Mt. Gilead community in 1970, purchased and operated a substantial farm in the New Hope Community. There he and his wife, Emma, raised three children, until retiring from farming in 1994. He and his wife were members of and attended Gravel Hill Baptist Church until his or her health no longer allowed it. During his time as a farmer, Dennis received numerous accolades including McNairy County’s Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year and a prestigious honorary doctorate in Agriculture from the University of Tennessee. Dennis also served several years on the Board of Directors for the McNairy County Co-op. In addition to his work on the farm, he was a dedicated Freemason and 32nd degree Shriner. After retiring from farming, he started working for the McNairy County Highway Department until retiring in 2015. After retirement, Dennis continued his love of farming by helping his oldest son operate a cattle farm by assisting with anything involving the use of a John Deere tractor. John Deere green was definitely his favorite color.
Dennis is survived by his wife of 57 years, Emma Jo Smith Henson, who is affectionately known by many simply as “Sis,” a son, Barry Steven Henson of Memphis, TN, a son, Paul Christopher Henson, and wife, Nancy (Holmes) Henson, of Guys, TN, a daughter, Beth Jene Henson of Ramer, TN, a sister, Majorie Kay Gage, and husband, Leo Ralph Gage of Memphis, TN, numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews too numerable to mention but none forgotten. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents William Abner Henson, and wife Mary Olive (Moore) Henson, two brothers, Fray Moore Henson and W. C. Henson, and four sisters, Joyce Maness, Marie Rankin, Ann Mitchell, and Lila Gage.
The family of Dennis Gene Henson extends a special gratitude to AHC McNairy County for the continuity of care provided to him throughout his illness.
