Clata Joan Hensley passed away October 9th, 2026 at the Wellington Care Center in Liberty, Missouri surrounded by family. As a child, Joan (as she preferred to be called) grew up in Washington Center, Harrison County, Missouri. She was born August 1, 1936, the youngest of seven children, all of whom predeceased her brothers, Franklin Goodwin, Dwight Goodwin, sisters Dewene Westlake, Nina Henton, Jean Lesnak and Jane Miller.

She attended a one room school house in Washington Center, MO and had fond memories of her days as a student there. As a second grader, she would hear the teacher give lessons to older students. She believed she received an excellent education because by the time she reached eighth grade she had heard all the lessons taught by the teacher.

Her mother Maude was a midwife in the Washington Center area, helping to deliver many babies. Joan and her friends snuck away on one occasion and walked over a mile to see a baby that had just been born.

She was a devoted mother to her four children, sacrificing her own comfort many times. She had the laundry of a four children, a house, cooking and cleaning duties, as well as working full time. The only time she would rest and take a break was when the Carol Burnett Show came on. She loved that show and would laugh heartily when she watched it.

In addition to her duties as a mother, she worked at the Albany Regional Diagnostic Clinic as Personnel Director. She later worked at Hensley Chevrolet in Albany along with her husband Kenneth. She worked for many years in the Chevrolet dealership and truly enjoyed her interaction with the customers. Often cars would breakdown on the interstate and be towed to the dealership. Many times people would come with their entire family and she would enjoy helping entertain the children. There would often be no place for the families to go. Joan and Kenneth would make sure these families were well taken care of. They would receive gifts from around the country for their hospitality.

After Kenneth and Joan sold the dealership in 2000 they enjoyed traveling around the country and spending the winter months in Tucson, AZ. Joan was always ready to come home to see her family in the spring.

Joan will so be remembered for her avid love for history, genealogy and politics. She valued her rights to vote and participate in government.

She will be missed for her gentle, kind ways and her devotion to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great granddaughter. She is predeceased by her husband of 71 years Kenneth Rex Hensley and her son John Franklin Hensley. She is survived by her daughter Nancy Bagnall, son Kenneth Hensley (Teresa), daughter Robyn Neth (Harold) and daughter -in-law Zatuilla Nara. She is survived by many grandchildren, Derek and wife Shelly Brown, Kimberly Bloomingdale and her husband Travis, Charles Edward Bagnall and wife Kate, Frank Hensley and his wife Heather, Adam Neth and his wife Whitney, Kristi Neth, and Jackie Hensley. She will be missed by her great grandchildren, Lauyrn and Gabe Freitas and their daughter Florence, Paige Brown, Harper and Jude Bloomingdale, Beric and Violet Hensley, Henry, Wyatt, Lucas and Hattie Neth. Many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Ascend Hospice and Wellington Senior Living for their loving care.

Funeral Service: 11:00 AM Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at the Roberson-Polley Chapel, 403 N. Hundley, Albany, MO 64402. Burial will be in the Grandview Cemetery, Albany. The family will receive friends from 10:00 -11:00 am on Tuesday prior to the service. The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Albany United Methodist Church or the Albany Legacy Fund - Rigney Theater both in Albany, Missouri. Online Condolences: www.robersonpolleychapel.com