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Ethel M. Henley
In Memory of
Ethel M.
Henley
1944 - 2016
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Obituary for Ethel M. Henley

Ethel Mae Payne Simmons Henley, 71, passed away Sunday, June 5, 2016 at her residence surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be Saturday, at 11 am, June 11, at Greater Bibleway Church, 1901 Herring, Waco, Texas, with Bishop, Lonnie Garrett, of Marlin, Texas officiating and Bishop, J. Gregory Jones of Shreveport, Louisiana as Eulogist. Burial will follow at Rosemound Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, June 10, 5 pm to 7 pm, at OakCrest Funeral Home.

Mrs. Henley was born in Del Rio Texas, on September 30, 1944 to Nato and Vina (Shepard) Payne. She attended Phyllis Wheatley High School in San Antonio and afterward was employed at Grahams Embroidery for over 30 years.

She accepted Christ early in life at True Holiness Pentecostal Church in San Antonio, Texas. After relocating to Waco over 40 years ago, Ethel joined the Greater Bibleway Church under the leadership of the late Bishop Floyd Williams, Sr. She served as Sunday School Superintendent, member of the finance committee, choir member, director of various church departments, also an Elder in the National Pentecostal Church of God in Christ and also served on the ministerial staff.

Ethel dedicated her life to Christ and lived to serve him. She made a positive impact on may lives young and old. She had a passion for sharing and teaching the word of God with anyone that was willing and seeking a closer relationship with God. She also travelled Central Texas as part of the anointed singers called the Wings of Faith.

Mrs. Henley was preceded in death by her parents; beloved step-father, Rueben Reed, Sr.; and one sister, Rosie Payne.

She leaves to cherish her memory, three daughters, Alvina (Tristan) Major, Joanna (Anthony) Simmons Young, Elecia Simmons; and one son, Joe Simmons, Jr.; four sisters, LeNora Moses, Emma Key, Anna Scott, Linda Payne; and one brother, Nato (Pam) Payne; and a dedicated nephew, Anthony "Toni" Payne, Sr; eleven grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Anthony Payne, Jr., Jason Key, Gregory Key, Paul Payne, Archie Lee, and Robert Washington. Honorary Pallbearers are Tristan Major, Sr., Benjamin Hughes IV, Trevone Fitzsimmons, Tristan Major II, Anthony Payne, Sr., Anthony Young and Nato Payne, Sr.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ethel M. Henley, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

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