Julia Alora Hensley, 78, of Lufkin, was born September 12, 1945, in Port Arthur, Texas, to John Stokes and Julia (Sikes) Stokes, and died Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at her residence.

          Ms. Hensley drove the school bus for the special education at Lufkin ISD. She was very creative and liked to sew and build things. Ms. Hensley enjoyed a good fountain Dr. Pepper, and a piece of blackberry pie. She had a morning ritual of making her coffee and sitting at the table preparing for the day. Ms. Hensley had a big heart and loved her family more than anything.

          She is survived by her daughters, Brenda Cowley of Lufkin, Terri Collier and husband Larry of Lufkin, Karen Graham and husband Randal of Jarrell, TX, and Dorothy Wallace and husband Greg of Kingwood, TX; grandchildren, Matthew Cowley, Misty Bishop, Scotty Bishop, Richard Ferguson, Terry Collier and wife Amy, Marco Benavides, Jose Benavides and wife Tania, Sara Greer and husband Tom, and Haley Cooper and husband Daniel; 20 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

          Ms. Hensley was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Lawrence Wayne Hensley; second husband, Jerald Hunt; and brother, Earl Stokes.

          Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.