Emma Jo "Sis" Smith Henson

Emma Jo Smith Henson, affectionately known by many as “Sis,” was born February 21, 1941, in the Finger community of McNairy County, TN, as the third child of Frank Pierce Smith and wife, Willie Harrison (Hampton) Smith. Emma departed this life peacefully on April 26, 2025, at the age of 84 years, 2 months, and 5 days. Emma attended school at Finger and later graduated from Bethel Springs High School in 1959. After high school, Emma worked in the garment industry for eight years before meeting her husband, Dennis. They were united in marriage on September 30, 1967, at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church. Emma and Dennis moved away from the Mt. Gilead community in 1970, where they purchased and operated a substantial farm in the New Hope Community. There she and Dennis raised three children, until retiring from the farming industry in 1994. Emma established herself as a devoted wife, mother, and exceptional homemaker. She never missed an opportunity and stepped into any role necessary to ensure the needs of everyone around her were met while ensuring the operations of the farm ran smoothly. She drove tractors, tended to livestock, managed the bills, ran the errands, and still managed to put three full course meals on the table every day. Meals came through blood, sweat, and tears. Come every Spring, it was time to break ground but not for just corn and soybeans. This was for the garden which typically started as a small idea ending in conservatively three acres of every vegetable desired. There was always going to be two long rows of tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, green beans, butterbeans, potatoes, onions, a sweet corn patch, a purple hull pea patch, and watermelon patch along with the fruit orchards filled with apples, pears, plums, figs, blackberries, strawberries, and grapes. The land always gave back through hard work and dedication filling three freezers and every nook of the cabinets with sealed mason jars canned by her own hands. Of course, there was always a surplus, and above all else, she gained much of her joy from sharing vegetables with family and friends. There is no doubt cooking was her legacy, and of course, no meal was complete without some type of delicious dessert whether it be a cake, pie, or cobbler at the end. No one ever came to her house and left hungry, and her meals were extraordinary. Emma’s kitchen was always open, but holidays were her favorite, especially Christmas. This was a time when she really had the opportunity to showcase her culinary skills. It was not unusual for traditional holiday meals to be accompanied by at least 10-15 of her specialty desserts, not to mention the numerous homemade candies she had made. It was always a challenge to figure out which one to start with first.

Emma loved her family – brothers and sisters on both sides. Family reunions were a staple tradition growing up. “Fish Fries” were an epic event because everyone knew “Mom” was going to make the hushpuppies and bring at least five desserts. It was in the best interest just to step aside and allow her to work her magic. She never disappointed.

Emma is survived by a son, Barry Steven Henson of Memphis, TN, a son, Paul Christopher Henson, and wife, Nancy (Holmes) Henson, of Guys, TN, a daughter, Beth Jene Henson of Ramer, TN, brothers, Don Smith and wife, Nevella Smith, of Selmer, Dale Smith and wife Emma Sue (deceased), of Adamsville, Mac Smith and wife, Carol Smith, of Selmer, Danny Smith and wife, Betty Smith, of Adamsville, a brother-in-law, Rudy Moore and wife, Judy Moore, of Savannah, a sister-in-law, Majorie Kay Gage, and husband, Leo Ralph Gage, of Memphis, TN, and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews too numerable to mention but none forgotten. Emma was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis, on November 2, 2024, parents Frank Pierce Smith and wife, Willie Smith, and her beloved sister whom she loved, cherished, and adored, Elaine “Pudge” Moore.

The family of Emma Jo Henson extends a special gratitude to Selmer Post Acute and Tennessee Quality Hospice for the continuity of care provided to her throughout her final years.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Mt. Gilead Cemetery Fund.