Alicia Lynne Vernon Hensley

     My name is Alicia Lynne Vernon Hensley. I was born at Cannon Air Force Base hospital in Clovis, New Mexico on January 20, 1970.

     I passed away peacefully surrounded by my loving family at home in Burlington, North Carolina on February 01, 2024 at the age of 54 after a 24+ year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). 

     I leave behind to treasure my memory, my mom, Judy Lynne Smith, my dad Everett Francis Vernon, Jr. (Cheryl), my brother Everett (Rhett) Francis Vernon III, my son Christopher Shane Hensley, and my daughter Jessica Lynne Hensley; my niece Elizabeth Elaine Vernon, my great-nieces Paisleigh and Berkley; my cousins Michael Guthrie (Marcie), Brett Guthrie (Tonja), and Jonathan Guthrie (Kimberly); my aunt Nina Vernon Ashlock (Jim), my aunt Delores (Lolly) Vernon, my uncle Trent Lee Vernon (Isabel), my cousins Eric Ashlock, Chris Ashlock (Sandi), Joel Ashlock, and Ryan Ashlock (Keaton), Traci Vernon Williams (Mike), AC Vernon (Rosa), Larissa Vernon, Rachel Vernon, William (Billy) Vernon (Jesica), Rebecca (Sissy) Vernon, Nicole (My Nick) Vernon (Josh), Nina Jessica Vernon, Ma-kayla Vernon, Sarah Daisy Ashlock, and Eric (Buddy) Ashlock (Natalie) in Kansas City, Kansas and the surrounding areas, who I love so very much.

     I was preceded in death by my grandpa, J. Clifton Smith, and my grandma, Gladys Mae Chriscoe Smith; my grandpa, Everett Francis Vernon, Sr., and my grandma, Daisy Burr Vernon; my uncle Dennis Ray Smith, my aunt Janice Smith Davila; my uncle Arthur (Artie) Charles Vernon, my uncle William (Billy) Glenn Vernon; my favorite cousin ever Aaron Alan Ashlock, Sr.; and my other favorite cousin Brett's son, Austin Brett Guthrie. 

     I was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church on the corner of Davis and Broad Streets in Burlington, North Carolina, although I will admit my attendance over the last several years had been very difficult to maintain.  I have missed my church family very much and the fellowship that comes with them. 

     I graduated from Cummings High School in Burlington, North Carolina, as a proud member of the Class of '88.  Go Cavaliers!!  I also attended Guilford Technical Community College at Jamestown, North Carolina.  

     I spent 11 years working at PHE, Inc., otherwise known as Adam & Eve, located first in Carrboro, and then its current location in Hillsborough, North Carolina.  I thoroughly enjoyed my job in data entry, keying in orders with my coworkers who became like a family quite instantly. That's how I want to remember everyone I came in contact with there. There are WAY too many to name, but especially the ones who have gone on before me, like Rachel Hackler, Duncan Whitehead, and Frankie Harrell. Not to mention Mr. Phil Harvey, himself, who was the president of Adam & Eve, and a really nice guy. It was a very generous company to work for, as were the people I worked with, and I loved every minute I had there. 

     You wouldn't think that growing up in North Carolina and having been such an avid ACC basketball fan, Duke Blue Devils in particular since I was 10 years old, that anything could come along and upend the importance of that. But about 23+ years ago my mom took me to one Carolina Hurricanes hockey game, and that's all it took. A love for the game blossomed that day (helped along by a certain player, #13 Bates Battaglia!) that has not changed in all that time, it has only gotten stronger. I met many kind, caring individuals, including Bates' mom, Sandi Cucchiara, and Virginia and Clarence Hawley, who made going to games a gift in and of itself. I would bore anyone to tears who would listen to me talk about hockey. Just ask my brother. That was my one great hobby, passion, and love. 

     I would like to thank the nurses who have taken care of me over the last 10 years. There have definitely been some special ones to me, but to name them all here would take up too much space. Just know that I'm beyond grateful for your compassion and the care you showed towards me. It was deeply appreciated. 

     Please consider donating to alsa.org or your local ALS chapter, or to teamgleason.org for providing technology, much like what I'm using to write all of this to you, and other needed resources for people with ALS.   Also, the Headstrong Project at theheadstrongproject.org, which is a non-profit organization providing PTSD treatment for veterans.

     A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 PM Monday, February 26, 2024 at First Baptist Church of Burlington by Rev. Stacey Littell Grimm.  The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

      You may send condolences and sign the online register at www.lowefuneralhome.com.