Margaret Elaine Henry "Granny Laney"

Margaret Elaine Henry, affectionately known as “Granny Laney”, age 83, of Marion, North Carolina, departed to be with the Lord on the morning of Thursday, October 29th, 2020 at her residence with loved ones at her side.  Born in Buncombe County, North Carolina on October 22, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Vance and Eula Brown Conley. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, James William Henry, Sr. “Big Daddy” (October 18, 2018); three grandchildren, Daquisha Henry, Jerrill Jackson and Nicholas Jones; and four siblings, Frank Conley, Sarah Hamilton, Vance Conley and Gordon Brown.

A devoted and loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Elaine enjoyed traveling, especially to Philadelphia, baking, canning and shopping.  She loved making memories with her family and friends.  It did her heart good to spoil her grandchildren, and even those who were not her grandchildren, including a very special granddaughter, Kennedi Swepson.  For 46 years she worked in the dietary department at McDowell Hospital.  Elaine was a member of Daughters of Zion #2 Order of the Eastern Star; and a member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church where she served on the Hospitality Committee and the Women’s Missionary.

Left to cherish her precious memories are her ten children, Zondra Y. Henry, James Henry, Jr., Debra Connelly, Karen D. Henry, Crystal Henry, Terry Allen Henry (Pandoria), Andrea Wimbush (Tim), Leslie H. Miller, Camille Elaine Henry and Amy H. Berry (Jermaine); and four siblings, Eula Jean Conley, James Ervin Conley, Virginia Lee Groce and Zackery Carson.  Granny Laney is also survived by twenty-five grandchildren; a host of great grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and many friends she met along the way. 

The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 05, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Beam Funeral Service in Marion.

A service to celebrate the life of Elaine will be held on Friday, November 06, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Beam Funeral Service with Dr. Michael Smith officiating.  Interment will follow at McDowell Cemetery. 

Those serving as pallbearers are, Shawn Boyce, Antawn Boyce, Daresse Henry, Toran Whiteside, Vernon Edmonds and Timmy Boyce; honorary pallbearers will be, James William Henry III, Tyrese Miller, Nathan Henry, Tavin Lindsey and Tahjii Borders.  Those serving as flower girls are, Artura Boyce, Starr Henry, Sierra Connelly, Karman Henry, Chanda Henry, Tikira Henry, Tia Miller, Aubrey Borders and Sydney Connelly.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Henry’s memory are asked to consider, Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, North Carolina 28043 or by visiting www.hocf.org.

For those who are unable to attend the celebration of life, you are able to view the service by clicking on the link below:

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