of St. Joe, AR

February 9, 1926 - September 13, 2015

John Henley, age 89, passed away the afternoon of Sunday, September 13, 2015, at his home in St. Joe. His health had been failing over the past year but he continued to work as the mayor of St. Joe for the people of the area. The son of Ruth and Floyd Henley, John was born February 9, 1926, in St. Joe. John was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Floyd and James; and three sisters, Opal Arthur, Alva Hensley, and Marie Coker.

John is survived by his wife of 66 years, Vera (Mrs. Mayor); their children, Ruth Ann Smith (David) and John B. Henley, Jr., both of California; his brothers, Kenneth (Tommye Jean), Charles (Jackie), and Orville (Glenda); and his sisters, Madge Fowler and Peggy Swafford. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Matthew Smith (Courtney), Brian Smith (Katie), Sarah Steele (TeJay) and Patrick Henley (Katie), all of California; and four great-granddaughters, Kirstie, Lilly, Miranda, Delilah and a fifth one due in October.

Mayor John considered many of the people he worked with as dear friends. His faith, which was most important to him, gave him a particular gift or talent to work with differing opinions and styles of doing business. His purpose was to do the right thing to the benefit of all, giving generously of himself, including both his time and talents. John served in the Army Air Corp at the end of World War II from 1946-1947.

While living in California, John met and married Vera Harris in 1949. They built a life together in both Stockton and San Bernardino, California. John knew hard work from the time he was a young boy. He held a variety of jobs including owning his own interior design business for many years. He knew how to work with others to create beauty. He understood style and function and how to take a vision and turn it into reality to enhance lives. When it was time to retire, in 1994, he and Vera returned to St. Joe, and built their own straw bale home.

John was elected mayor in 1999. One of his first projects was the construction of the St. Joe Community Center. He worked along with others to make this idea a reality. John was active in Kiwanis and Elks organizations while in California. During his time as mayor, he served on the Searcy County Land Commission, the board of the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District, Searcy County Quorum Court and was instrumental in the refurbishing and revitalization of the St. Joe M & NA Railroad depot, helping to establish the museum and serving on its board. He was involved in other groups, projects, and fundraisers too numerous to mention.


Visitation was Friday, September 18, 2015, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home.

Funeral service was Saturday, September 19, 2015, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home with Bro. Bill Beach officiating.

Interment was in Osborne Cemetery, St. Joe, AR, with Bro. Kenneth Cash officiating. Military honors will be provided by the U.S. Air Force.

Pallbearers were Ben Henley, Walter Arthur, Orville Henley, Charles Henley, Kenneth Henley and Gabe Fowler.

Honorary Pallbearers were City Council of St. Joe and M&NA Railroad Depot Board of Directors.



Memorials may be made to Buffalo River Baptist Building Fund, P.O. Box 112, St. Joe, Arkansas 72675 or M&NA Railroad Depot Museum, Inc., 110 S. U.S. Highway 65, St. Joe, Arkansas 72675.

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