Genell Holtzclaw Henson

Genell Holtzclaw Henson passed on May 11, 2026. Born on Nov 8, 1928 in Cliffside, NC, she married Grady Lee Henson of Harris, NC in 1947. Genell joined Grady in Panama where he was stationed after his service in WW2.

She cared for her children Michael and Lavon while Grady served in Korea, then they were stationed as a family in Augsburg and Ulm Germany.

Eventually, returning to Forest City, Genell began a long career in nursing at Rutherford Hospital. Genell loved talking about all the babies she helped deliver, including her first grandchild. She continued her work as a Home Care nurse for many years.

Genell was a long-time member of Chase Baptist Church. Genell gardened, quilted, canned and cooked homemade bread and custard pie. She enjoyed her friends and family, including many nieces and nephews.

Genell is preceded in death by her parents, Hubert Holtzclaw and Lola Toms Holtzclaw Pruitt, her husband Grady Henson, her second husband TJ Parker, sisters Margaret Beam, Hazel Bagwell, and brothers Henry, Albert and Frank Holtzclaw.

She is survived by her sister Betty Phillips (Tommy), son Michael Henson (Carla), daughter Lavon Melton (Doug), grandchildren Michelle Walldorff, Jennifer Melton, Lee Melton (Melissa), Randy Henson (Donna), Leslie Henson (Jeff), great-grandchildren Zachary Walldorff, Greyson Walldorff (Taylor), Hadley Walsh, Sutton Walsh, Haylee Henson, Randie Beth Henson, Marlowe Melton, Maddyn Melton, Gibson Melton, and great-great-grandchildren, Vincent and Beckham Walldorff.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Monday, May 18th at Chase Baptist Church with Reverend Scott Butler officiating. Interment will follow at Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, Genell and her family ask for donations for Chase Baptist Church (1725 Harris Henrietta Rd, Mooresboro, NC 28114).