Stella D. Hensley

Stella D. Hensley, 89, of Roanoke, passed away October 31, 2008. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joshua and Tabitha Deeds, brothers, Garwood Gilbert Deeds, Clay C. Deeds, and Dale E. Deeds, sisters, Vera D. Price, Hortense D. Gibson, Bernice D. Hall, Loree D. Eanes, Grace D. Wiehl, and Juanita D. Starkey. She is survived by her children, Douglas W. "Ted" Hensley and wife, Barbara, Roanoke, Donna H. Spradlin and husband, Larry, Vinton; grandchildren, William Hensley, Roanoke, Samantha Spradlin, Vinton; stepgrandchildren, Terry Wade, Jr., Orlando, Fla., Mike Spradlin and wife, Kim, Vinton; and numerous loving nieces and nephews. Before Stella moved to Elm Park Estates she was a member of Fairview United Methodist Church in Roanoke. Stella was born to Tabitha and Joshua Deeds on Catawba Mountain on January 28, 1919. She graduated from Catawba High School with a class of five other students. She went to receive her teaching degree from Radford University and taught in Roanoke County School System for 38 years. She retired from Conehurst Elementary School, where she taught 2nd grade. She began her teaching career at Ogden School then moved to Starkey School when it first opened, teaching grades 1 through 4, until it closed. After that she moved on to the new Cave Spring Elementary School and ended her years teaching at Conehurst Elementary. Stella enjoyed teaching the second grade and working with children ready to learn. During her time off in the summer she loved working with the different variety of flowers she had in her yard at home. She also loved visiting her sisters and brothers, each one was very special to her. Now she has gone to join a large part of her family in Heaven. Stella's smile and tough grit will be sadly missed by her loved ones left behind. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, November 2, 2008 at Lotz Funeral Home in Salem. Funeral services will be conducted at Lotz Salem Chapel on Monday, November 3,2008 at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kevin Meadows and the Rev. Chris Monroe officiating. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park.