Shirley Jean Hency, 71, of Carthage, went to be with the lord on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, at the St. John’s Regional Medical Center after a long battle with cancer.
Shirley began her life on Nov. 22, 1938, in Sarcoxie, Mo., to the late Finis S. and Alta (Spillman) Smith. She attended Carthage schools and graduated in 1956. On March 30, 1957, she was united in marriage to Hollis G. Hency and to this union four children were born. Shirley worked in data entry for Big Smith as well as Rocketdyne until their closings; she then went to work for Leggett and Platt where she stayed until her retirement in December of 2000. Some of her favorite hobbies included camping, crocheting, browsing local flea markets, but most of all spending time on her horse Ribbon. She was a member of the Carthage Saddle Club, T.O.P.S and the Antioch Missionary Church where she played the piano.
Mrs. Hency was preceded in death by her sister Marcia Ratliff on Jan. 15, 2000.
She is survived by her husband of the home, four children Stephen G. Hency and wife Ronda of Carthage, Kimberly K. Smart and husband Ed of Gainsville, Mo., Dana R. King and husband Rogers of Granby, and Diana L. King and husband Allen of Carthage, 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, two sisters, Gladys Kennedy of Rogers, Ark., and Velma Cunningham and husband Jim of Hutchison, Kan.
Memorial services are scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010, at the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary with Pastor Danny Young officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the mortuary. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.thornhilldillon.com care of the mortuary.
