Doris Hensley

Doris Fowler Hensley, age 72, previously of Skygusty, WV, passed away peacefully from long term health complications on Wednesday April 30, 2025, at Lynchburg General Hospital in Lynchburg, VA. She was born on September 6, 1952, in Grace Hospital, Welch, WV to Coy Fowler and Irma Mitchem Fowler. She worked for the McDowell County Board of Education beginning in 1978 through her retirement in 2015. She was a member and song leader for the Wilcoe Church of God for many years and traveled to churches throughout the state to sing the gospel of Jesus.

She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Hensley Turner, of Bedford, VA; son, Gary Hensley, Jr. of Orlando, FL; brother, Russell Fowler of Princeton, WV; grandsons, Austin Turner and wife, Heather of Huddleston, VA and Chandler Turner of Moneta, VA ; great-grandson, Landon Turner of Bedford, VA ; nephew Max Mikels and wife Phyllis of Bastian, VA ; and niece Debi Sexton and husband Alan of Princeton, WV.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Coy and Irma Fowler of Thorpe, WV; sisters, Helen and Brenda Fowler of Thorpe, WV; toddler brothers; Johnny Fowler and Joe Fowler; and infant brother that gained his wings prior to birth, as well as her grandparents.

She lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures like chatting with friends and family, listening to her favorite gospel singers, attending church, taking continuing education classes, and above all, spending time with her grandsons Austin and Chandler, and great-grandson, Landon. She had an uncanny ability to give perfect life advice in a deep and positive way, and she was always just a phone call away. Everyone that knew her always stated she was the kindest person they had ever known. She absolutely loved children and most of her career she focused on kindergarten and special needs students, always putting other people before herself. She was not a stranger to sacrifice, devotion, love and strength.

She spent every spring break, Christmas, and weeks in the summer traveling to her daughter’s home in Virginia to “love on those grandkids,” and her son would join everyone there when he could. She flew for the first time in 2015 with the grandkids to Orlando where the entire family took her to Disney. Space Mountain was her favorite ride.

Doris had final wishes she wanted to pass on to everyone to honor her legacy. 1. To dedicate your life to our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ. 2. To always show excessive love to children and the elderly because they deeply need you. 3. If you are diagnosed with a debilitating disease, fight it with every resource available to get healthy, including prayer. 4. Stay out of debt (her famous life quote).

Services will be held Saturday May 10th, 2025, at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home, Bluefield, WV with Rev. Nick Marrs officiating and assited by wife Etta Marrs. Visitation at 12 p.m. and Eulogy at 1 p.m. Graveside service commencing immediately after, across the street, at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.