Henry Jackson Hemphill

One of the last Great Ones:
Is how Henry Jackson Hemphill, Jr. was referred to by most all of his family and friends. Born on June 18, 1924 in Franklin County, GA to Henry Jackson Hemphill, Sr. and Ellis Fullbright Hemphill, Henry was the youngest of 11, consisting of 6 brothers and 4 sisters. Henry grew up on a farm in Toccoa, GA and attended Sunshine Methodist Church. After graduating high school, Henry served in the Army in WWII with the 551st MPEG. Upon returning to north Georgia after honorary discharge, he reunited with high school sweetheart Helen Brown of Carnesville, GA, and they were married on September 7, 1946. Both applied for and were accepted for employment at the General Motors Assembly Division plant in Doraville, GA, which brought them to the north Atlanta area. Henry spent his entire career in management positions with General Motors from 1948 until his retirement in 1989.
After his retirement, Henry enjoyed fishing trips with his brothers Roy and Woodrow, lake visits with his wife to their Lake Lanier cabin, and relaxing trips to the beach in the Destin, FL area. He stayed busy with projects including restoration of his wife's family home in Carnesville, GA, building utility trailers, and helping his only daughter with whatever was her "crisis of the day."
Henry was known by all as a kind, loving man. He was a devoted husband and a completely unselfish father – referred to by his daughter as "the best daddy on the planet." He always put the concerns of others first and wanted to help anyone in need. Henry was a devout Christian, and he and Helen were among some of the first members of Briarcliff Baptist Church in north Atlanta.
Henry flew with the angels to his Lord on January 27, 2015 after a heart attack in mid December lead to congestive heart failure. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ellis - brothers Lester, Herman, Clyde, Fulton, Woodrow and Roy – sisters Ruth Ariail, Gertrude Hemphill, Lois Manley, and Willie Mae "Bill" South. He is survived by his wife, Helen – his daughter, Diane Eisner (husband Alan) – and many cousins, nieces and nephews – all who will miss his gentle voice and comforting smile.
The family will receive extended family and friends on Friday, January 30, 2015 from 6-8 PM at A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home, 2773 North Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 12 noon at the A. S. Turner & Sons chapel with interment immediately following at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Duluth, GA.


Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033