Emily Henry
Emily Chapman Henry passed away on January 26, 2018. She was 92.
Born in Covington, Ga., on Oct. 7, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Louise Whitehead and Bernie Clifford Chapman and sister of the late Eloise Chapman.
Emily graduated from the Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, Georgia and then moved to LaFayette in 1946 where she taught Latin and English at LaFayette High School. She met her husband to be, the late Fred B. Henry, at the post office. It was said he knew from the first time he saw her that she was the woman he was going to marry. Fred and Emily married on Dec. 21, 1947, in Covington. That was the beginning of a 60-year long marriage filled with love, joy and service.
Emily was always active and on the go. She was an expert seamstress, enjoyed playing bridge, walked regularly, loved entertaining and traveling. She had a large circle of friends with whom she enjoyed a multitude of activities, shared many laughs and with whom she worked shoulder to shoulder in support of many causes important to her. She was dedicated to the LaFayette First United Methodist Church and cherished her adopted town of LaFayette. She could regularly be seen on the city square working to beautify the town. Painting, weeding, planning and designing were all talents she poured into her efforts to make LaFayette a picturesque small town.
Her commitments and energy were appreciated and recognized on many occasions. Emily was one of the early recipients of the Walker County Citizen of the Year award. She received recognition for 50 years of membership in the LaFayette Women’s Club. Mayor Neal Florence proclaimed May 8, 2012 to be Emily Henry Day in recognition of her selfless contributions to the city. She was a loyal supporter and tireless volunteer on behalf of the LaFayette Library as well as The Marsh House. She was a big believer in and supporter of the good works done by The Care Mission.
Emily is survived by three children, Bryant Henry (Nita), Marilyn Taylor (Tom) all of LaFayette and Phil Henry (Sue) of Atlanta. She had four grandchildren, Elissa Lorenzen (Kevin), Jeff Gibson (Allyn), Scott Gibson (Mallory) and Alexander Henry. In addition, she was blessed with seven great grandchildren, Isabel, Eleanor, and Lillian Lorenzen, James and Myers Gibson, Miller and May Gibson.
The family expresses their deep gratitude to the outstanding ladies who loved and cared for her. They are Wendy Bassett, Sue Brown, Betty Chamlee, Sharron Cockrell, Sylvia Horne, Shasta Lowe, Anne Thorne, and Andrea Swafford.
Visitation will be at Wallis Wilbanks Funeral Home on Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 5–8 p.m. and the funeral at LaFayette First United Methodist Church on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 11 p.m.
Pallbearers are Jeff Gibson, Scott Gibson, Alexander Henry, Pat Henry, Steve Henry, Kevin Lorenzen, and Jack Smith.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Emily’s memory to the LaFayette First United Methodist Church or The Care Mission in LaFayette.
Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.