Rev. Louis Early "Jelly" Henry

Rev. Louis Early "Jelly" Henry was born March 20, 1947 in Green County, Kentucky to the late Houston and Lee Anna Henry and departed this life Saturday, December 28, 2019 at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Columbia, Missouri following a battle with cancer.

In high school, he was a star athlete excelling in all sports.  His basketball coach stated, he “got us out of many jams on the court.”  He later enlisted in the US Army where he fought in Vietnam with the 9th Infantry Division, where he earned a Purple Heart.  He also received the Bronze Star Medal for heroism and several other Medals.   He displayed a total disregard for his own safety; he selflessly and courageously made repeated trips through murderous hostile barrage until all the casualties were removed.  He was a Life Member and former Post Commander of the James L. Pruitt Post 5813 Veterans of Foreign Wars, Greensburg, Kentucky.

Louis accepted Christ at an early age.  He was a Deacon for many years at Gayles Memorial Baptist Church in Aurora, IL.  When he returned to his hometown, he continued to serve as a Deacon at Jacob Grove Baptist Church in Summersville, KY.  He later became an ordained minister in 2002 and served as the pastor of Santa Fee Baptist Church in Columbia, KY until October 2019.  He was a member of the Taylor Co Civic League, the Green County League of Citizens Foundations, Inc, and the Voices of Praise Male Chorus.  Louis was the former moderator of the Zion District, BUCLC 1st Vice President, former Treasurer of BUCLC, and Former President of the Zion District Sunday School and BTU Convention.

Louis became the first African American police officer in Greensburg, Kentucky He also worked as a school resource officer, and a court bailiff until his retirement.  Louis leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 48 years, Nancy; his brother, James (Rebecca) Henry, his sister,  Margie Jenifer; his children, Reva Wisley, Garland Wisley, Charley Wisley, Kayla Wisley, Laticha Henry, Louis (Jacway) Henry, Stephanie (Raymond) Harrison, Emma (Mike) Montgomery, and Robert Calhoun.  He also leaves to cherish his memory, a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Houston Henry, Lawrence Henry and William Luther Henry; his sisters, Nora Brown, Frances Bradley, Hallie Williams, Brenda Thompson, and Alice Faye Henry.

Place and Time of Funeral Service: First Baptist Church of Campbellsville 11 a.m. Central Time Saturday, January 11, 2020.

Wake and Visitation: 6 p.m until 9 p.m., Central Time, Friday, January 10, 2020 at the Foster-Toler-Curry Funeral Home and at the First Baptist Church of Campbellsville from 9 a.m. Central Time until the funeral hour at 11 Central Time Sat, Jan. 11, 2020.

Entombment: Campbellsville Memorial Gardens, Campbellsville, KY with full military honors provided by Columbia VFW Post 6097 Honor Guard.

Ministers: Rev. Albert Reid, Eulogy and Rev. Henry Nelson, Officiant

Pallbearers: Nephews: Cecil Bradley, George Bradley, Larry Bradley, Robert Bradley, Scotty Bradley, William Bradley, Blake Henry, Lavelle Henry, Philip Henry, Ryan Henry, Troy Martinez, and Albert Williams

Honorary Pallbearers: Edward Gene Anderson, Bruce Brown, Darren Brown, Frank Brown, Jerry Cowherd, Luther McDougal, Barry Taylor, James Thornton, Larry Shephard, Carl Deaton, Larry Gumm, Ivan Curnutte, James L. Pruitt Post 5813 Members, and Greensburg Police Department

Flower Bearers: Anisha Bradley, Shavonna Green, Bonita Haire, Kasaundra Henry, Paulette Henry, Tonya Henry, Andrea Hughes, Carrie Niesman, Arnetta Henry, Belinda Henry, Karen Townsend, and Vanessa Williams