Judy Hensley

Judy Karlene Bayer Hensley very graciously walked into the open loving arms of our Lord and Savior, surrounded by her family on Sunday, September 27, 2020 at the age of 73. At Judy’s request, she will be cremated. A celebration of her life will be held, Saturday, October 10, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at Beacon Hill Baptist Church with Bro. Reggie Blake and Bro. Mike Ferus officiating. In accordance with current regulations, face coverings are required.

Judy was born February 16, 1947 to Fred John Bayer, Sr. and Syble Lee Tabor Bayer in Waco, Tx. She married Willie R. Berry on July 24, 1965 and to this union Rene’ Michele Berry Perkins and Melanie Ann Berry Peterson were born. She married Harvie Junior Hensley on July 14, 1972 and to this union Harvie David (H.D.) Hensley was born.

Judy was the youngest of five children growing up and lived most of her life in Waco. She attended University High School. Judy retired from Spenco Medical Corporation and later from Valero in Robinson. She enjoyed sewing and crocheting and would make some of the prettiest doilies and table clothes. She enjoyed her John Wayne and Elvis Presley movies and collectibles. She and Harvie knew each other at a young age and she often said that she chased Harvie up a tree. They reconnected years later, and he became the love of her life. They spent 48 wonderful years together, through life’s ups and downs and their love and faith in GOD made their marriage even stronger. She was immensely proud of her children and grandchildren and the accomplishments they made in their life. She was supportive of them and would attend their school functions and even helped in the concession stands at the football games while her kids were in the band. She became Mama Judy to several ‘adopted kids’ that were friends of her children. She reaffirmed her faith in Christ when her daughter and son-in-law, Rene’ and Billy, began attending Beacon Hill Baptist Church. Shortly thereafter, 3 other family members joined the same church. She enjoyed the fellowship of the church and hearing the special music of the choir, the Cantatas and special music groups that would attend. She enjoyed being with her lifelong friends, whether it be sitting on the tailgate of the truck until the wee hours of the morning trying to solve the world’s problems, going out to have lunch or long conversations on the phone.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents, her father-in-law and mother-in-law John and Lois Hensley, Buster and Louise Berry, brothers Howard Wayne Bayer and Fred John Bayer, Jr., sister Linda Sue Bayer, grand-daughter Haley Lynn Peterson, son-in-law Billy Don Miller, brother-in-law & sister-in-law Dewey and Mary Lou Slaughter, sister-in-law Terris Chapman and Wanda Bayer and great grand-furbaby Copey.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Harvie Hensley of Robinson, daughters Rene’ Perkins of Waco, Melanie Peterson of Robinson and son H. D. Hensley of Robinson, brother Louis Charles Bayer of Waco, her ‘sis-co’ Gerry Tilary-Bayer of Waco, sister-in-law Dorothy Alquinson of Waco and brother-in-law Billy Chapman of Mexia. Her ‘adopted’ kids whom she loved and treated as if they were her own, Michelle Chinn of Waco, Theresa Dillon and husband Matt of Robinson, Tami Russell and husband Patrick of McGregor, Robert ‘BJ’ Bardin and wife Roberta of Temple, Jon Krupa and wife Becky of China Spring. Grandchildren Amelia Peterson Booth and husband Eli of Corpus Christi and John Peterson of West. Her grand-furbabies Rex and Angel, great grand-furbabies Drax and Panda. Lifelong friends Diana Bowdoin, Diana Wiethorn, Cheryl Courtnier, Connie Fischer and Marsha Owens, numerous family and friends.

The family would like to thank the Robinson VFD, AMR Ambulance, and staff of Hillcrest Hospital for the care of Judy this past month.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to Beacon Hill Baptist Church.

Although our hearts are broken, we take comfort in knowing you are healed and walking with the Lord our Savior and will now be our guardian angel. Until we are together again, we love and miss you!