Verna Z. Hensley

Verna Nell Hensley was born in Carlsbad, New Mexico on January 26, 1925 to Fred R. and Susie E. (Perry) Zimmerman.  She died on March 26, 2022 at Good Life Senior Living at the age of 97. 

Verna was raised in Carlsbad and graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1942.  In 1944 she married Marion Thompson, Jr. who died in 1963.  In 1983 she married D.C. “Doc” Hensley who died in 2006.

Verna had a great love for family, her church family, beautiful music and the beauty of New Mexico.  She retired after working for many years from the Eddy County Health Office in 1987.  She was a member of Fox and Lake Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Marion and Doc; brothers Ralph and Jimmie Zimmerman; sisters Loudale Cornett and Ruth Martin; daughter Jan Warren; step-sons Charlie Markwell and David Hensley; sons-in-law Gary Tutor and Lynn Warren; grandson Jeff Lawler and great grand-sons Brandon Lawler and Brent Padilla.

Verna is survived by six children and two step-children:

Tommy Thompson (Darlene) Afton, OK; Patty Tutor of Westville, OK; Libby Allen (Roland) Carlsbad; Bob Thompson (Sharon) Lecanto, FL; Paul Thompson (Toni) Carlsbad; Carolyn Taylor (Jeff) Bosque Farms, NM; Susan Hensley of Aurora, CO and Randy Gibbs (Linda) Huntsville, AL. She is also survived by seventeen grandchildren, thirty-two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are entrusted to Denton-Wood Funeral Home and cremation has taken place.  A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on May 21, 2022 at the Carlsbad Cemetery Pavilion with Pastor Michael Lee officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please give to your favorite charity or to Good Life Senior Living.