Exie Henson

Exie Wilde Henson, age 90, was called home on August 13, 2022 to be with her Lord, whom she served throughout her life with her husband, the late Rev. Gene Henson. Born near Brevard, NC, she was the daughter of the late Joseph S. Wilde and Ethel Phillips Wilde. She is predeceased by her husband, her parents and her siblings: Dorothy Galloway, Nell Owen, Oneda Johnson, John A Wilde, Marie McKinney Moody, Joe Wilde, Jr., Festus Wilde and Hoyt Kadez Wilde.

She is survived by her three children and spouses: Melody Henson Fifer and Steve Fifer, Rebecca Henson Mancia and Eliu Mancia, Scott Henson and Kristy Massie Henson; nine grandchildren: Amy Fitzgerald, John Fifer, Carrie Glass, Kelly Gleason, Matthew Dobson, Ben Dobson, Anna Pagel, Ashley McKnight and Aaron Henson and ten great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Henson is a graduate of Rosman High School, attended Berea College and is a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas. She also attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Portuguese Language School in Campinas, Brazil.

She and her husband, were appointed missionaries by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1963. They did pioneer mission work in the Amazon Basin which included the Amazon Jungle. They also served in the International, Inter-denominational Church of Rio de Janeiro where they ministered to people from around the world ~ especially young people. They ministered in four countries: America, Brazil, Canada and Germany and in five states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Michigan and Florida.

Mrs. Henson also had a twenty-seven year career in four states as an educator: teacher, principal and supervisor. She finished her career in Transylvania County, NC where she served as Executive Director of “Next Century Schools”, also known as “Communities in Schools”, at Rosman Elementary School. The project was underwritten by a large grant from RJR Nabisco.

She is also the author of three novels set in the mountains of North Carolina: Beyond This Mountain and a sequel, Mountain Song. She later condensed and revised the two books into one: Laurel’s Choices.

Her “Celebration of Life” Service will be held at North Toxaway Baptist Church in Lake Toxaway, N.C. The service will be on Saturday, August 27, 2022 and will begin at 1:00 P.M. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

Memorials may be made to North Toxaway Baptist Church, 51 Slick Fisher Road, Lake Toxaway, NC 28747.