Ellen Rogers Henley

Abingdon, VA – Ellen Rogers Henley, age 56, was called home July 20th, 2022. Ellen was born on June 2nd, 1966, to the late Dr. William Rogers Henley and Mrs. Jackie Onlee King Henley in Lebanon, Virginia. Ellen attended Lebanon High School and furthered her education by obtaining a B.S. from East Tennessee State University, where she was a member of Sigma Kappa, and then went on to gain her Masters in English Education from Florida State University. Additionally, Ellen was qualified as a Paralegal and worked for the attorney general of Florida.
Ellen’s professional teaching career began at Leon High School in Tallahassee, Florida. She later moved to Abingdon, Virginia and taught at Sullins Academy in Bristol and later moved to John Battle High School in Bristol. Her career in teaching spanned over 32 years.
While living in Abingdon, she was a member of Abingdon United Methodist Church. Ellen was a loving, caring, and supportive mother, and a friend to everyone she met. Her past time enjoyments include being an avid reader, watching HGTV and the cooking channel, cheering on the Florida State Seminoles, visiting St. George Island, Florida, spending time at the family lake house, and learning about history. She then applied this knowledge in her classroom. She took great pride in following Graysen and Tanner in all of their sporting endeavors. She was an avid and enthusiastic supporter of Emory and Henry Sports where Graysen played soccer, and later followed Tanner’s baseball career at Radford University.
Ellen gave the generous gift of life by being an organ donor.
She was married to Stan Barrs of Abingdon, Virginia for 32 years who is the father of her two children, Graysen Barrs of Abingdon, Virginia, and Tanner Barrs of Abingdon, Virginia; her beloved cat, Madison; sister, Kimberley Henley Miller and husband Nathan of Bridgewater, Virginia; brothers, Phillip Henley and wife Lisa of Lebanon, Virginia, and Todd Henley and wife Robin of Abingdon, Virginia; dear friends, Vicki Cross Adkins of Abingdon, Virginia, East Tennessee State Sigma Kappa Sisters, and her John Battle High School family.
Immediate family will receive family and friends 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at Highlands Fellowship Church in Abingdon, Virginia, 22417 Watauga Road Abingdon, Virginia 24211, followed immediately by refreshments in the fellowship hall.
The family wants to express their appreciation to all the healthcare workers and staff of Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Virginia and Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, act.alz.org/site/donation, in Ellen’s name.
Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register. The family of Ellen Rogers Henley is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.