of Harrison, AR
July 2, 1910 - April 1, 2014
Inez Fendley, age 103, of Harrison, was born July 2, 1910, at Leslie, AR, and went to be with her Lord Saturday, April 5, 2014. She was the daughter of Love and Mary Susan (Arnold) Hensley and the granddaughter of Benjamin W. Hensley, the first tax assessor and sheriff of Searcy County. Both paternal and maternal grandparents were among the earliest settlers of Searcy County who homesteaded land on the Buffalo River, as early as 1837. Mrs. Fendley was preceded in death by her husband, John Franklin Fendley; her parents; a brother, John Arnold Hensley; and two sisters, Sarah Marie Livingston and Modest Mae Rockwood. Inez is survived by her daughter, Sara Jo Fendley, of Harrison; four nieces and one nephew.
As a member of the Methodist Church since childhood, Inez served as church pianist and for 12 years as a member of the Official Board. She attended Galloway College for Women at Searcy, AR, (a Methodist Girls School which later merged with Hendrix College, the Methodist Boys school); the University of Arkansas, where she was a member of Tri- Delta Sorority and received a degree in Home Economics Education from Arkansas State Teachers College (UCA). She taught school for 20 years, 18 years as a home economics teacher at Leslie, Timbo, and Marshall and two years at 3rd & 4th grades. She worked as home supervisor of Farm Security Administration in Van Buren County following the Great Depression and after retiring from her teaching career, coordinated the Searcy and Stone County Head Start Programs.
A dedicated civic leader, Inez served as president of the Leslie B & PW, the Searcy County Farm Bureau Board, Searcy County Republican Women's Club, chaired the MORE (mobilization of Rockefeller Effort) in 1964, and was named in 1965 to the Who's Who in Arkansas Lives. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1999, she received both the Distinguished Alumni Award at Leslie High School and the Boone County Woman Farmer of the Year Award by the Boone County Farm Bureau. She was a partner with her daughter in the cattle business up until her death. They were pioneer breeders of Registered Simmental Cattle, introducing the breed locally in 1971, and also raised and bred registered Polled Hereford and Red Angus Cattle. An avid duplicate bridge player, she had been a member of the Tuesday Bridge Club since moving to Harrison in 1970.
Funeral service was Tuesday, April 8, 2014, at First United Methodist Church, with Rev. David Williams officiating. Interment was in East Lawn Cemetery, Marshall, Arkansas.
Pallbearers were Albert Dixon, Ben Dixon, Zane Green, Travis Woodell, Tim Moore and Sheriff Mike Moore.
Honorary pallbearers were Mitchell Archer, Mitchell Woods, Eddie Cole, Cameron Rogers, Matt Beard, Clay Creager, Dr. Rob Wilkinson, Gerald Ragland, Dr. Claude E. Fendley, Gordon Fendley, Dr. Herbert Fendley, Dr. Jack Fendley, Fred Fendley, Dr. Jerry Cash, Dr. Jerry Taylor and the Tuesday Bridge Club.
Memorials may be made to the Genealogy Department of Searcy County Library, 202 East Main Street, Marshall, AR 72650, or to the charity of your choice.
Thinking of you in the loss of your dear Mother. Our love and sympathy to you.
Sara Jo,
Second grade Leslie, 1948-49, your mom put the two of us on stage, taught us to sing " I'm my own grandpa ". What a laugh it brought from the school children and parents in the assembly. I still have a photo of me in my grandpa outfit, taken by the steps of the Methodist Church in Leslie. Your mother was fun loving and a good teacher. I am sorry for your loss.
Dear Sara - my twin and I remember Ms. Fendley with fondness. She was a superb teacher even though as young students we did not always realize these things. She taught Home Ec in Timbo and we were in her class for several years. I am sure she will be missed by many. She was a good friend, and teacher.
Pat Brewer Mecum and Peg Brewer Granberry Timbo Class of 1967
Sara Jo, we are thinking of you with sympathy and prayers.
Sara Jo,
I am saddened to hear of your loss. I am sorry I cannot be there today, but my thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. We will visit soon.
With love,
Fendley
Sara Jo ,
We feel so sad to read about Inez. She and Aunt Thelma had long wonderful lives. Amazing to realize the changes in the world that occurred in their lifetime. What a resilent generation.
Sonny & Cindy
Sara,
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Inez. Our families deepest sypathy goes out to you. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Jackson Family
Sara, I was shocked to hear of the loss of your mother. Seemed like she should always be there and I'm sure you are going to be terribly lonely. If it's any consolation, know that she had a full life and enjoyed her time with you.
Maybe I will see you again sometime.
Our prayers go out to you Sara for the loss of your mother. We will all meet at a great family reunion in heaven some day. Rick&Paula Maples
Mrs. Fendley lived a rich long life. As home ec teacher in Leslie, she taught me and others
skills that I possess and use 58 years later.
Rest in Peace, Inez,
Sara, William and I are in Georgia right now so cannot attend any of the services, but our thoughts are with you. Your mother was a beautiful lady that inspired a lot of the younger generations. May God Bless you and keep his comforting arms around you.
Sara and family, I was sorry to hear of your mother's passing. I pray that God will comfort you in your loss. You and the family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Martha Mulford
Sorry to hear about your mother. I've thought a lot about you this weekend. It is always hard to give up our parents and there will always be a hole in your heart. We sure do have lots of memories .
Thinking of you
Danna
Sara Jo, I was saddened to learn that Inez had passed away. You have my prayers and sympathy. Roy Ragland
She was a great contributor to every community in which she was involved, and left everyone with whom she came in contact better off.
Sara Jo and the entire family,
While we are never ready to let them go you can all take tremendous pride in the fact that your love one had a life well lived...and left this world a better place than she found it. I also take comfort myself having several recent deaths of loved ones ...that there are people they have been waiting to see, and people waiting to again see them......praise God. Praying God's peace and comfort for your entire family.
Thinking of you and praying that the Lord will be with you all the way. Call if you need me. Love Ronny and Candace and Rita.
One of my favorite teachers, so many years ago. God Bless