Gary Henson

Gary E. Henson, 79, of the Cruso Community, passed away surrounded by his family at Silver Bluff Nursing Home on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.  A native of Haywood County, he was the son of Blaine and Millie Haynes Henson.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings, Edith Ewart, Ruby Haney, and Ray, Troy, and Ralph Henson.

Gary was a 1962 graduate of Bethel High School.  He worked at Dayco for 15 years.  He was a faithful member of Meadow Grove Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon and Treasurer for 45 years.

Gary loved going to Pisgah Football and Softball games, going to the lake, working in his garden, and watching westerns.  Most importantly, he loved watching his grandchildren in any sporting events they were involved in.  His granddaughters knew he would always be there in his overalls with the blue Gatorade.

Gary is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sarah Phillips Henson; children, Teresa (Shawn) Alexander, Michael “Moose” (Jeannie) Henson; grandchildren, Kayte (Stephen) Leatherwood, Kolby Alexander, Kelsey Alexander, Maci (Logan) Pace, and Jake Henson; one great-grandson, John Lee Leatherwood, that Gary nicknamed “Lil” Hurricane; siblings, Betty Cope, Roy Henson, and Judith Henson; sisters-in-law, Elva Lee Rogers, Peggy Henson, and Wanda Henson; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023 in the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the Reverend Allen Blanton, Reverend Mark Edwards, and Reverend Jimmy Burress officiating.  Burial will follow at New Cruso Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 10:45 until 12:45 at the funeral home. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Silver Bluff Nursing Home staff for taking wonderful care of Gary and his Hospice Nurse, Veronica Coley of Four Seasons Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Meadow Grove Baptist Church, 12 Meadow Grove Church Road, Canton, NC  28716 or Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731

The care of Mr. Henson has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Canton and an online memorial register is available at "Obituaries" at www.wellsfuneralhome.com.