James Nick Hensley

April 27, 1936 - August 5, 2020

James Nick Hensley, age 84, passed away on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, at Baptist Memorial Hospital Golden Triangle in Columbus, Mississippi. Graveside services and interment will be 4 p.m. Sunday, August 9 at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Noxapater, Mississippi, with Rev. Chris Vowell officiating. The family encourages everyone to follow COVID-19 precautions. Nick was born April 27, 1936, to Thomas Ogden and Margaret Martin Hensley in Noxapater. He was a member of Noxapater Baptist Church where, in his younger days, he taught a Youth Sunday school class. Nick was a graduate of Noxapater High School and always enjoyed supporting and watching Noxapater Football. He began his career as an electrician by working with and learning through the Robert Farish Electric Company. He retired after 45 years of working as an electrician with various companies including Taylor’s, Georgia Pacific, Triplett Electric, and A and B Electric. Nick was an avid outdoorsman and served as a Boy Scout Master for 15 years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing; and he was thrilled to pass this love of the outdoors down to his son, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. Nick is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Patricia Quinn Hensley of Noxapater, his son James Quintin Hensley and wife Carla of Columbus, and his sister Tenie Quinn also of Noxapater. One of his greatest joys was being “Papaw” to his two grandchildren: Lauren Hensley (Tyler) Cook and James Dylan (Masa) Hensley. He also leaves behind four great-grandchildren: James Bowen Hensley, Thomas Holt Cook, Mera Quinn Hensley, and Carlee Elizabeth Cook; as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Nick was preceded in death by his infant son John Marcellus Hensley, his parents, his brother Thomas Lee Hensley, and two sisters Ann Holdiness and Faye Murphy. Serving as pallbearers are Dylan Hensley, Tyler Cook, Thomas Barnes, Mike Cobb, Raymond Dempsey, and Devon Vowell. Honorary pallbearers are James Boyd Allen, Larry Pierce Bryant, Sammy Carter, Jerry Estes, Jimmy Wayne Kemp, Randy Kemp, Douglas McAdory, and the members of the Smallwood Hunting Club. Memorial contributions in honor of Nick may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Tribute Program, P. O. Box 1000 Department 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or to Mt. Carmel Cemetery Fund, c/o Noxapater Baptist Church, P.O. Box 251, Noxapater, MS 39346. Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.