Gene A. Hensley

Gene A. Hensley, 59, Kingsport, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, February 19, 2010 at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center following a brief illness.

Mr. Hensley served as President/CEO of Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union originally Mead Kingsport Credit Union for 31 dedicated years to the members and to the community.

He received his BS 1976 and MBA 1978 from ETSU. He was a graduate of the Southeastern Regional Credit Union Management School SRCUS, Athens, GA and a graduate of CUNA Financial Management School of Penn State University.

Mr. Hensley was very active in Credit Union organizations on both State and Federal levels; serving on the Boards of Directors for Mutual Guaranty, as Treasurer, the Tennessee Credit Union League, and Volunteer Corporate Credit Union, Nashville, TN. He served on the Board of Officers and as President for the Northeast TN Chapter of the Tennessee Credit Union League. Mr. Hensley was very involved with the committees for the credit union governmental affairs and consumer choice campaign, and was very committed to the survival of credit unions as not-for-profit full service financial institutions.

He was past treasurer of the Kingsport Chapter of the American Red Cross. He enjoyed riding his Gold Wing motorcycle and was a member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Associations. Mr. Hensley was of the Baptist faith.

His parents, Emmett and Georgia Hensley preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Patricia Lynn Hensley, Kingsport; one sister, Kathy Charlene Starnes and husband David, Blountville; one nephew, Chris Starnes and fiancée Nikki Gammon, Blountville; one sister-in-law, Kristy Nowatzki, Kingsport; one niece, Hilary Nowatzki, Kingsport; two aunts, Ruby Rucker, Port Clinton, OH and Gladys McMurray, Hiltons, VA; and several cousins.

Calling hours are from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport. Services will follow at 8:00 p.m. Monday with Rev. David Salley and Rev. Ronnie Horne officiating. The eulogy will be given by Mike Bishop.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at East Lawn Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Mike Bishop, Tom Page, Jack Parsons, Jack Patrick, Steve Fletcher, and Olin Pendleton. Honorary pallbearers will be the Directors and staff of the Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union.