Ponder "Dale" Hensley

Ponder Dale Hensley

March 11, 1938 – August 10, 2026

Ponder Dale Hensley, lovingly known by his family and friends as “Uncle Dale,” passed away on Monday, August 10, 2026, surrounded by his family.

He was preceded in death by his wife and the love of his life, Joan Gray Hensley; his parents, Ponder and Inez Hensley; his brother-in-law, Earl Etherton; his sisters-in-law and their spouses, Barbara and Bob McCombs and Sandra and Floyd McBride; and his nieces, Melinda Howell and Tina McBride.

Uncle Dale is survived by his sister, Lillian Lynch of Chattanooga, Tennessee; his niece, Sherry Etherton Duncan and her husband, Tony Duncan, of Dandridge, Tennessee, along with their children and grandchildren; and his niece, Robin Etherton Gantte and her husband, George Gantte, of Dandridge, Tennessee, along with their children and grandchildren.

He is also survived by his nephew Ricky Kirkland and his wife Melissa of Belmont, North Carolina, and their family; son, Justin Kirkland and his wife Amy; daughter, Beth Lanich and her husband Sean Lanich; son, Jeremy Kirkland; and their granddaughter, Lila Mobley; and his nephew Bobby Kirkland and his wife Kim, and their sons, Matthew and Luke Kirkland of Lincolnton, North Carolina, as well as many other beloved extended family members and friends.

Uncle Dale was born and raised in Grapevine Hollow near Dandridge, Tennessee. He loved Joan deeply and often spoke of the life they shared together. As a young man, he joined the United States Navy in 1956 and was stationed in San Francisco, California. Dale and Joan were married in Palm Beach, California, on March 31, 1958. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on March 16, 1959, and Dale and Joan later made their home in Dallas, North Carolina.

Although Dale and Joan were unable to have children of their own, God blessed them with many children to love through their nieces, nephews, and extended family. Uncle Dale and Aunt Joan rarely missed birthdays, Easter, Christmas, or other special occasions. They were proud to be part of the lives of those they loved, and many treasured memories were made with them.
All of his nieces and nephews held a particularly special place in his heart. He enjoyed spending time with them, fishing and cooking alongside them, and simply having them by his side. Family meant everything to Uncle Dale.

As his health began to decline, Uncle Dale moved to Stanley Total Living Center in Stanley, North Carolina, where he was cared for by a compassionate staff who became very special to him and his family.

In grateful recognition of the excellent care provided to Uncle Dale by Stanley Total Living Center, the family respectfully requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to: Stanley Total Living Center P.O. Box 489 Stanley, NC 28164 .Please make contributions in memory of Uncle Dale.

A service for Mr. Hensley will be held at the graveside of Forest Lawn West in Charlotte on Friday August 14, 2026, at 9:00 am. Woodlawn Funeral Home is caring for the family of Mr. Hensley. Condolence messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.woodlawnfuneral.org.

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