Martha Sue Henley

Martha Sue (Taylor) Henley Lansing On Friday, July 30, 2010, Sue Henley, with her loving family at her side, passed of natural causes and is now joyfully reunited with her infant daughter, Theresa. Sue's true purpose in life was to be a kind, loving, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, and she did so with fierce loyalty, selflessness, and commitment. Sue was born on August 2, 1933 in Bradford, TN to Vera and Robert Taylor. Sue had one brother, Robert (Irene) Taylor, Jr. (Ripley, TN). When Sue was just ten years old, she met Charles "Chuck" Henley, Jr., also of Bradford, TN. Little did Sue know at the time that their lives would be intertwined and impact generations to come. Sue moved to Lansing, MI with her family when she was twelve, and years later reunited with Chuck who had moved to Lansing to work for the Lansing Fire Department. Their renewed friendship blossomed and on August 4, 1951, Sue and Chuck were married. They were blessed with nearly 59 years of marriage, and three additional children, Steven (Amy) Henley of Las Vegas, NV, Michael (Bernadine) Henley of Holt, MI, and Paula (Wayne) Berry of St. Johns, MI; along with nine grandchildren whom she was immensely proud of: Tina (Clay) Baker, and Tara, Liza, and Adam Henley of Las Vegas, David and Sunnie Henley of Holt, and Kira, Garrett, and Colton Berry of St. Johns. Sue was a long time member of Holmes Road Church of Christ. She also was very active with the Arthritis Mutual Support Group, as Sue graciously coped with RA for years and she chose to help others suffering from the disease. Sue's love and dedication to her family, friends, and the local neighborhood watch program brought her much joy, as did listening to Elvis tunes - especially if her son, Steve, was playing them. Sue's life is epitomized by 2 remarkable quotes. The first by Elizabeth Stone: "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." The second by Charlotte Gray: "Children and mothers never truly part -Bound in the beating of each other's heart." She will be greatly missed and cherished by all who love her, including her lifelong friend Joyce Ergen. A funeral service will be held for Sue on Friday, August 6th at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends Thursday August 5th from 6 p.m- 8 p.m. and 1 hour prior to the funeral on Friday at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 900 East Michigan Ave., Lansing, Michigan, 48912. Interment will take place Saturday August 14th, at Locust Grove Cemetery in Bradford, TN with Brother Robert Taylor, Jr. officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Sue's honor to the Arthritis Foundation, PO Box 96280, Washington DC 20077.