Ralph "Jack" Jackson Hensley

Ralph Jackson “Jack” Hensley, 92, of Asheville passed away on June 17, 2025, at Solace Hospice House in Asheville, NC following a brief illness. He was the son of the late Max Edney and Hassie Mae Hensley. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jane Payne Hensley, brother, Ben Hensley, and sister, Sarah Maxine Sutfin.

Survivors include his children James Donald Hensley of the home, Gary Jackson Hensley and wife Doris of Marshall, Anita Mae Lamm and husband Mickey of Four Oaks; two grandchildren, Sarah Sands and husband Philip of Scotland, and Rachael A. Yefko of Four Oaks; great-grandchildren, Blaine Stephen Yefko, Daniel “Danny” Crowe Sands, Ava Lynn Pulley and Matilda “Tilley” Mae Sands. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Jack was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a US Army Veteran and a 60-year member of the Masonic Masons of Nichols-West Asheville Lodge No. 650. He was also a dedicated member of the Land of The Sky Shrine Club, part of the Oasis Shrine in Charlotte, NC, for 25 years. Ralph served as a Shriner Tripster, along with Betty, transporting children to Shriner hospitals. They also worked together at Shriner fundraising events in Marshall and Mars Hill.

Jack was a retired truck driver. He enjoyed time with his family, volunteering, watching sports, gardening with his granddaughters in the summer or tending to his lawn.

Jack also loved to feed his pigeons, had a soft spot for animals and rescued several cats, grew the best grapes, kept bees for many years and always had jars of his own honey. The granddaughters always looked forward to going with him and Granny to help at the Shriners horse show in Marshall every summer. Jack had a great sense of humor and could make almost anyone laugh.

The family appreciates the support from his fellow Shriners.

A graveside service will be held at 1 o'clock in the afternoon on _____ at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Candler, NC.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565 or Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Office of Philanthropy, PO Box 1525, Ransom, WV 25438.