Rev. Donald Sims Henley

Funeral service for the Rev. Donald Sims Henley, 87, of Piedmont will be Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Thompson Funeral Home with his son, Rev. Doug Henley officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Piedmont Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 -8:00 pm at the funeral home. Rev. Henley passed away peacefully, Sunday, March 19, 2023, at his home. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Patricia Henley; daughter, Donna Lynn Henley Martin (Jerry) of Alexander City; son, Rev. Doug Henley of Piedmont; three grandchildren, Jeri Lynn Martin Thomas, Jarod Henley Martin and McKenzie Lynn Tan Henley; and two great grandchildren, Briggs and Henley. Pallbearers will be Jay Johnson, Jarod Martin, Marc Thomas, Jerry Martin, Tracy Chandler, Heath Bates, Scott Maddox, and Kenny Yates. Honorary pallbearer will be Doug Johnson. Rev. Henley was a native of Anniston and was a graduate of Anniston High School class of 1953. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at Jacksonville State University and earned his Masters of Arts degree from the New Orleans Theological Seminary. Rev. Henley started his ministry at Union Avenue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. He was also active in planting churches in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He pastored many churches in the surrounding area, including Northside Baptist Church in Anniston and Calvary Heights Baptist Church in Alexander City. He pastored at the First Congregational Methodist Church in Piedmont for 13 years, where he and his family made their home. He was also the pastor at Liberty Hill Congregational Methodist Church in Heflin for several years. During his ministry, Rev. Henley led thousands of people to the Lord. He performed over 1500 funerals and weddings and over 1000 baptisms. Rev. Henley was a United States Army veteran. He served in the 101st Airborne Division, 506st Infantry Regiment. He was a member of Saints John Lodge 931, F&AM in Anniston with over 50 years of service and was a longtime member of the Zamora Shrine Temple of Central Alabama. Rev. Henley was a people person and had a nickname for most everyone. He enjoyed playing golf and was a great fisherman. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Ollie Bell Henley; and 6 siblings.

Rev. Donald Sims Henley

March 22, 1935 - March 19, 2023