H. Louise (Israel) Henson

Hattie Louise Henson, age 96, of Swannanoa, NC, formerly of West Asheville, NC, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 23, 2023, at Emerald Ridge Rehabilitation and Care Center in Asheville, NC.

Louise was born on May 26, 1926, in Canton, NC to the late James Dalton Israel and Tina Elizabeth Robinson Israel. She was a homemaker and a member of Abernethy Methodist Church but recently attended Bee Tree Christian Church. Louise was a wonderful sister, wife, mother and grandmother, who loved her family dearly.

She was a very witty lady who was naturally funny. She would always have a cute answer or come back when she spoke to you and her family called those her “granny-isms!” Louise loved to help out in her community and volunteered with the Asheville Meals on Wheels and March of Dimes. She was always one who would check in on her neighbors.

Louise loved life. She was an optimistic and positive person. You could usually find her singing as she did her housework or reading in her spare time. Those who knew and loved her will certainly remember her fondly and with a smile.

In addition to her parents, Louise was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Woodrow Henson; a grandson, Zachary Henson; three brothers, Thomas, Robert and Dennis Israel; and five sisters, Etta Mae Miller, Margaret Gibson, Martha Childers, Dottie Best, and Mary Lucy Allen.

She is survived by her three sons, Phillip (Diane) Henson, of Swannanoa, Gary Henson of Asheville, NC,  Terry (Stephanie) Henson of Wichita Falls, TX; two daughters, Phyllis (Dave) Ballard of Weaverville, NC and Karol (Earl) Black of Fletcher, NC; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Emerald Ridge and to Deb Sharp, for the love, care, and laughter they gave to their mother.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, January 30, 2023, at 1:00 PM, at Bee Tree Christian Church, 1185 Bee Tree Rd., Swannanoa, NC, with Pastor Mike Siemens officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM in the church and burial will follow the service at Pisgah View Memorial Park, 1529 Smokey Park Highway, Candler, NC 28715.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions in Louise’s honor be made to: Bee Tree Christian Church or Meals on Wheels of Asheville.

Online condolences may be left at: www.penlandfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Penland Family Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the Henson family with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of H. Louise (Israel) Henson, please visit our floral store.