Mrs. Yvonne Henley

Yvonne Summerville-Henley, 78, of Gordo, AL was called home to the Lord on June 13, 2020, with her family by her side.

Born to the late Rev. James H. and Lillie Summerville on, August 2, 1941, in Gordo, Alabama, she was baptized by her father into the Body of Christ at an early age at First Baptist Church of Gordo, AL. When Rev. Summerville traveled to preach, he carried Yvonne and her younger sister Bernice in tow: Yvonne on the piano and Bernice serving as songstress. She also played softball in high school and was a cheerleader for the school football team. She graduated from Gordo (Oaklane) Colored High School in 1959 and continued her studies at Tuskegee Institute. While pursuing her studies, she was crowned Ms. Junior, and during her senior year, she was crowned Ms. Pershing Rifle before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Nutrition in 1963.

After initially beginning her career in the Chicago City School System, she was led back home to Alabama where she served as the Director of The Robertson-Geer Indian Rivers Group Home Center for 35 years.

Yvonne loved the Lord and trusted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She served faithfully at First Baptist Church in Gordo, Alabama as Youth Director. She also served New Light Baptist Church as Sunday School Superintendent.

She married her beloved husband James Henley in 2011, and they lived together in Georgia for seven years before relocating to Gordo, Alabama. Yvonne's passions filled her life after retirement. She spent her days attending to her many beautiful plants as she was blessed with a natural green thumb. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed spending holidays and special occasions with her family, and she especially loved serving as host of such joyous occasions.

Yvonne is survived by her husband James Henley of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, her two children: Sonya Brown Hardy, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Clifton L. Williams (Tranettea), of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She is also survived by her five siblings: Lillie Bell Harris of East Cleveland, Ohio; Bernice Foster of Maywood, Illinois; James Henry Summerville III (Gloria) of Stanford, Connecticut; Johnny Ray (Mary) Summerville of Gordo, Alabama; Wendell (Carol) Summerville of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Yvonne is survived by four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Yvonne was preceded in death by her father James Summerville Jr., her mother Lillie Summerville, and sister Gradie Jean Bonner.

Visitation for Mrs. Henley will be held on Friday, June 19th, 2020, from 3-6 p.m. in the Northport Funeral & Cremation Service Chapel in Northport, AL. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 20th, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. in the Northport Funeral & Cremation Service Chapel in Northport, AL. Interment will follow at Linebarger Cemetery in Gordo, AL. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, limited seating is available. The funeral will be live-streamed and a link will be provided to view the service.

Yvonne Summerville-Henley, 78, of Gordo, AL was called home to the Lord on June 13, 2020, with her family by her side.

Born to the late Rev. James H. and Lillie Summerville on, August 2, 1941, in Gordo, Alabama, she was baptized by her father into the Body of Christ at an early age at First Baptist Church of Gordo, AL. When Rev. Summerville traveled to preach, he carried Yvonne and her younger sister Bernice in tow: Yvonne on the piano and Bernice serving as songstress. She also played softball in high school and was a cheerleader for the school football team. She graduated from Gordo (Oaklane) Colored High School in 1959 and continued her studies at Tuskegee Institute. While pursuing her studies, she was crowned Ms. Junior, and during her senior year, she was crowned Ms. Pershing Rifle before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Nutrition in 1963.

After initially beginning her career in the Chicago City School System, she was led back home to Alabama where she served as the Director of The Robertson-Geer Indian Rivers Group Home Center for 35 years.

Yvonne loved the Lord and trusted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She served faithfully at First Baptist Church in Gordo, Alabama as Youth Director. She also served New Light Baptist Church as Sunday School Superintendent.

She married her beloved husband James Henley in 2011, and they lived together in Georgia for seven years before relocating to Gordo, Alabama. Yvonne's passions filled her life after retirement. She spent her days attending to her many beautiful plants as she was blessed with a natural green thumb. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed spending holidays and special occasions with her family, and she especially loved serving as host of such joyous occasions.

Yvonne is survived by her husband James Henley of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, her two children: Sonya Brown Hardy, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Clifton L. Williams (Tranettea), of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She is also survived by her five siblings: Lillie Bell Harris of East Cleveland, Ohio; Bernice Foster of Maywood, Illinois; James Henry Summerville III (Gloria) of Stanford, Connecticut; Johnny Ray (Mary) Summerville of Gordo, Alabama; Wendell (Carol) Summerville of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Yvonne is survived by four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Yvonne was preceded in death by her father James Summerville Jr., her mother Lillie Summerville, and sister Gradie Jean Bonner.

Visitation for Mrs. Henley will be held on Friday, June 19th, 2020, from 3-6 p.m. in the Northport Funeral & Cremation Service Chapel in Northport, AL. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 20th, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. in the Northport Funeral & Cremation Service Chapel in Northport, AL. Interment will follow at Linebarger Cemetery in Gordo, AL. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, limited seating is available. The funeral will be live-streamed and a link will be provided to view the service.