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Obituary For Gerald Carver Henley, Sr.
Gerald Carver Henley Sr., was born April 16, 1948 in Knoxville, TN to the late Melvin and Ella Mae Henley. He attended Beardsley Elementary and graduated from Austin East High School. He also attended Knoxville College and the University of Tennessee. While in Knoxville, Gerald was very active in fighting for social justice, political equality, and equal rights all.
Gerald Henley moved to Cleveland, OH. in 1982 and soon after, he met and married Annaliesa Hill in 1983. They were married 41 years. To this union, two wonderful sons were born, Gerald C. Henley, II and Marcus T. Henley.
Gerald continued his fight for equal rights for all people in Cleveland, OH. Gerald served on the Cleveland Metropolitan School Board where he also served as President of the Cleveland School Board. While on the school board, Gerald helped to implement several policies that helped to improve the educational growth of the students and the residents of Cleveland, OH. The Cleveland residents were proud to have a voice on the school board like Gerald C. Henley, Sr. Gerald Henley was the deciding vote that brought the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum to the city of Cleveland, OH. Gerald held on to his vote until the various powers in Cleveland gave in to Gerald’s demand to give back to the children in the school district and the residents of Cleveland. The agreement was to give back some funding from each ticket sold from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum back to the school children and the residents of Cleveland, OH.
Gerald Henley worked with various organizations in Cleveland, OH. He worked with the NAACP, Carl Stokes Brigade, Black on Black Crime, and so many more. Gerald Henley always stood tall and was a straight talker up to the Governor of Ohio, down to the mayors of Cleveland, OH. Gerald Henley was a member of Southeast Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Cleveland, OH. He was very proud to work with the Religious Liberty program.
Gerald Henley was a loving Christian-family man. He will be missed by all. Gerald C. Henley, Sr. leaves to mourn his lovely wife Annaliesa Henley; his sons Gerald C. Henley, II, Marcus T. Henley, and Don Juan Henley and his only daughter, Jervece LaKeshya Henley; siblings Charles Carson (Zelma, proceeded him in death) of Knoxville, TN., Fred Carson (proceeded him in death, of Knoxville, TN.), Mozella Howell (proceeded him in death) of Knoxville, TN., Elder Marshall Henley, and James L. Henley (Linda) of Knoxville, TN., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
There will be a Celebration Of Life Service to be held at 10:30 am on Saturday February 22, 2025 with receiving of friends to begin at 10:00 am at the Unity Mortuary Chapel.
The final resting place will be held at the Mt. Olive Cemetery immediately following the service.
Arrangements are under the caring staff and direction of Unity Mortuary. www.unitymortuary1979.com
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Gerald was an exceptional extraordinary soul who will be missed greatly by the Dirl family. To us he will always be the Chairman of the Board for the Black Community Development Program in Knoxville, TN. Maya Angelou's poem "When Great Trees Fall" is a tribute to Gerald with the invigorating knowledge that the world is a better place because this "great soul" once passed through it. Our sincere condolences to the family and friends. We will hold you in our prayers and thoughts in this your season of grief.
I am very sorry about the death of my childhood brother from another mother. We did everything together from eating, laughing, crying, activities and sports together. When we were 10 we wanted to play on the same little league baseball team but we wanted to play across town. Gerald and I along with my cousin made the team and gained a great mentor Willie Calhoun and many great friends for life. I visited Gerald in Cleveland a few times and he knew or everyone knew him for his bravery and aggressiveness for social justice. I told him that he was a cross between Martin Luther King, BLACK panthers, Ali and Tyson. May the family continue to be blessed and healthy during this trying time. MUCH LOVE AND APPRECIATION TO THE HENLEY FAMILY FOR BEING MY 2ND FAMILY. REST EL COBBLER ( INSIDE NICKNAME) YOU HAVE EARNED YOUR KEY TO THE PEARLY GATE TO WALK AROUND HEAVEN ALL DAY. TELL OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS THAT LIFE IS DIFFERENT ON EARTH NOW THAN WHEN THEY WERE HERE.
Sending Sincerest Condolences On the Loss of your Love-One
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