Rev. Louis "Jelly" Henry, 72, was born March 20, 1947 in Green County, Ky to the late Houston and Lee Anna Henry and departed this life Saturday, December 28, 2019 at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Columbia, MO following a battle with cancer.
In high school, he was a star athlete excelling in all sports. His basketball coach stated, he “got us out of many jams on the court.” He later enlisted in the US Army where he fought in Vietnam with the 9th Infantry Division, where he earned a Purple Heart. He also received the Bronze Star Medal for heroism and several other Medals. He displayed a total disregard for his own safety; he selflessly and courageously made repeated trips through murderous hostile barrage until all the casualties were removed. He was a Life Member and former Post Commander of the James L. Pruitt Post 5813 Veterans of Foreign Wars, Greensburg, KY.
Louis accepted Christ at an early age. He was a Deacon for many years at Gayles Memorial Baptist Church in Aurora, IL. When he returned to his hometown, he continued to serve as a Deacon at Jacob Grove Baptist Church in Summersville, KY. He later became an ordained minister in 2002 and served as the pastor of Santa Fee Baptist Church in Columbia, KY until October 2019. He was a member of the Taylor Co Civic League, the Green County League of Citizens Foundations, Inc, and the Voices of Praise Male Chorus. Louis was the former moderator of the Zion District, BUCLC 1st Vice President, former Treasurer of BUCLC, and Former President of the Zion District Sunday School and BTU Convention.
Louis became the first African American police officer in Greensburg, KY. He also worked as a school resource officer, and a court bailiff until his retirement.
SURVIVORS: Wife of 48 years, Nancy Henry; 1 brother: James (Rebecca) Henry, 1 sister: Margie Jenifer; 9 children: Reva Wisley, Garland Wisley, Charley Wisley, Kayla Wisley, Laticha Henry, Louis (Jacway) Henry, Stephanie (Raymond) Harrison, Emma (Mike) Montgomery, and Robert Calhoun; a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family & friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 3 brothers: Houston Henry, Lawrence Henry and William Luther Henry; and 5 sisters: Nora Brown, Frances Bradley, Hallie Williams, Brenda Thompson, and Alice Faye Henry.
Funeral Service: 11:00amCT on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at First Baptist Church of Campbellsville
Wake and Visitation: 6:00pm-9:00pmCT on Friday, January 10, 2020 at Foster-Toler-Curry Funeral Home and at the First Baptist Church of Campbellsville from 9:00amCT on Saturday
Entombment: Campbellsville Memorial Gardens, Campbellsville, KY with full military honors provided by Columbia VFW Post 6097 Honor Guard
Pallbearers: Nephews: Cecil Bradley, George Bradley, Larry Bradley, Robert Bradley, Scotty Bradley, William Bradley, Blake Henry, Lavelle Henry, Philip Henry, Ryan Henry, Albert Williams
Honorary Pallbearers: Edward Gene Anderson, Bruce Brown, Darren Brown, Frank Brown, Jerry Cowherd, Luther McDougal, Barry Taylor, James Thornton, Carl Deaton, Larry Gumm, Ivan Curnutte, James L. Pruitt Post 5813 Members, & the Greensburg Police Department
Flower Bearers: Nieces:Anisha Bradley, Shavonna Green, Bonita Haire, Kasaundra Henry, Paulette Henry, Tonya Henry, Andrea Hughes, Carrie Niesman, & Vanessa Williams
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