Ailene Miller Hensley

Ailene Miller Hensley, 95, of Athens died peacefully Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 22, 2024, at Morning Pointe of Athens. She was a native of Harlan County, Ky., and a resident of Athens for more than 65 years. She was the daughter of the late Aldrich Lee and Ester Dean Miller and was also preceded in death by her husband, John Franklin Hensley; one sister, two brothers, two nieces and two nephews. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Athens and former secretary to the Academic Dean at Tennessee Wesleyan College (now University) for over 10 years. Ailene was an avid gardener and talented seamstress. She enjoyed home decorating, traveling, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is survived by one daughter, Janet S. Hensley of Leesburg, Va.; two sons and daughters-in-law, John A. and Caraleigh Hensley of Holden Beach, N.C., and David F. and Dianne Hensley of Chattanooga; three granddaughters, Laurel (Trey) Powell of Signal Mountain, Caroline (Cross) Doster of Lookout Mountain, and Allison (Mike) Anderson of Knoxville; one great-granddaughter, Stella Doster; seven great-grandsons, Preston, Miller, Meade, and Willingham Powell, Duke and Cabell Doster, and Kyle Anderson; as well as one brother, Jack Miller of Lakeland, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, with a brief sharing of memories before concluding at Smith Funeral Home. Family and friends will meet at 1:30 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home to go in procession for a graveside service to be conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, at McMinn Memory Gardens. Sign the guest register at www.smithfuneralandcremationservicesofathens.com Smith Funeral & Cremation Services of Athens is honored to serve the family of Ailene Miller Hensley.