Mrs. Kathryn Dora (Plumley) Henson, age 96 and lifelong resident of Ellijay, had her homegoing on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. She was born, July 13, 1930, the daughter of Carl and Roxie Plumley of Ellijay. She was married to Herman J. Henson.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Roxie Plumley, husband Herman J. Henson, brother William Hoyt Plumley, son Gary Henson, daughter-in-law Ruth Ann (Gudger) Henson. She is survived by son Danny W. Henson and his wife Kathy, of Ringgold, Georgia, son Eddie D. Henson, of Ellijay, grandchildren Roxanne Gunter and husband Randy, of Rossville, Georgia, Daniel Henson and wife Brooke, of Ringgold, Georgia. Also, four great-grandchildren, Natalie Clark, Miles Clark, Cade Henson and Eden Henson.

Mrs. Henson, besides being a homemaker, worked in a variety of occupations. She was a store owner, an employee of Davenport Hosiery Mill, clerk in a couple of retail stores, substitute teacher, and a broiler producer, which she retired from in 1991. Her most unusual job was in 1960 being a census taker, going from house to house in an old Willis Jeep in the Cartecay, Big Creek, and Bucktown areas of Gilmer County. She loved working and meeting people.

She was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. While her health permitted, she volunteered in several capacities in the church, but her absolute favorite was working with kids in VBS. She enjoyed her worship time at the church, and after health issues surfaced, she faithfully watched, as she said, “preaching on TV.” She loved gospel music and the singing convention broadcasts.

Kathryn loved excursions with family and friends. Even though she was terrified of heights and steep mountain roads, she loved the mountains and streams. She had a passion for growing flowers, always wanting plenty of them in and around her house. When she could no longer dig in the dirt and plant flowers, she had above ground planters lining her driveway. She would water and care for those planters from her golf cart.

Her home was often found with family and friends present. She possessed a wealth of memories about people she knew, life in the mountains, and events occurring down through the years. She had a gift for telling stories about those things. When grandchildren and great-grandchildren were with her it was story central. Her home always had a welcome for anyone who visited.

Friends and neighbors were a big part of her life. She loved their visits and phone calls. She would worry when someone missed checking-in. Apart from the visits her friends often shared flowers and as she called them, “Sweets,” meaning anything from chocolate candy, Little Debbies, to pies and cakes.

Before her sight failed, she was an avid reader, often spending hours a day reading. She read her Bible through multiple times. Her favorite leisure reading was historical fiction and anything with an Amish theme. When she was down to a book or two that she had not read she would call family or friends with the comment, “I’m about out of anything to read.” We all knew what that meant.

So much could be said about her, but in short, she was a great mom, a bit of a spoiled daughter, a loving and faithful wife, and a compassionate, devoted friend and neighbor. Her greatest attribute was her love for the Lord and her dependence on Him. She will be greatly missed.

Just a word of thanks for the prayers and support she and her family received from so many people. Every act of kindness and concern is greatly appreciated. May God bless each of you.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, August 11th, at 2:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Bernhardt Funeral Home, with Rev. Mark Kelly and Rev. Danny Henson officiating. The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Bill Bramlett, Gary Evans, Lamar Fendley, Wade Nealy, Clarence Teague, and Greg Wright. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Prince, Terry Sutton, and Frank Wright. Interment will follow in the Yukon Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends on Monday, August 10th from 2pm until 8pm at the funeral home and again Tuesday, August 11th from 12pm until 2pm at the funeral home. 

Flowers will be accepted, however the family respectfully ask no food be brought to the funeral home. 

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.