Paris “Pat” Ruth Henley, 91, of Belle, passed away peacefully at Capital Region Medical Center Monday, Aug. 27, 2023. She had been a resident of Stonebridge Senior Living in Westphalia for the past two years.
Pat was born Aug. 26, 1932, to the late Rev. Roy C. Jett and Gussie (Haines) Jett.
She was united in marriage to Herbert Lee Henley, Feb. 10, 1951. He preceded her in death on Sept. 12, 2001.
Pat was a 60+ year member of College Hill Baptist Church where she was the pianist for those years. She spent her life as a homemaker and spent many hours working in her yard and flower beds. Paris attended every Belle Fair from its inception in 1948 until her health deteriorated and she ultimately moved to the nursing facility in 2021.
Paris supported her husband’s career as an elected official in Belle for over 40 years. She volunteered in the city hall helping produce water bills and recording collections. For 40 years, she assisted in the dispatching of police officers through the home base radio. Her children remember her words, “Belle to 301” like it was yesterday… that was her family’s version of “Mom calling Dad.” Pat and Herb also owned small businesses in the trucking and charcoal industry. She is remembered by her children as doing the bookkeeping and clerical duties for those businesses in the evenings after her homemaking duties were complete.
Paris was preceded in death by parents, Rev. Roy and Gussie; husband, Herbert; brothers, Raymond Jett, Elmer Jett and Hershel “Shorty” Jett; granddaughter, Brandy Hoover; and grandson, Nicholas Barnes.
She is survived by children, Mark Henley (Debbie) of Belle, Mary Ann Allen (Clark) of Poplar Bluff, and Jana Rae Salmons (Brad) of Fulton; sister-in-law, Bernita Abel; grandchildren, Dustin Henley, Crystal Hoover, Jaymie Hitchcock, Cole Allen (Ashley), Hope Hillis (Tyler), Jaylyn Wilson (Jonah), Jenna Rodriguez (Felix); great-grandchildren, Caitlyn Henley, Hailey Barnes, Conner Allen, Jaycie Balkenbush, Peyton Barnes, Rylie Balkenbush, Keaton Hitchcock, Judah Wilson, Jax Kempker, Cade Hillis, Julian Wilson, Joseph Hillis, and Grant Hillis; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Sept. 1, at 12 p.m. at Sassmann’s Chapel in Belle. The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest a donation to Belle Community Betterment Association for beautification of Belle in Pat’s memory c/o of Sassmann’s Chapel, 207 Linn Ave, Belle, MO 65013.
Arrangements are under the direction of Sassmann’s Chapel, Belle.
