Johnny Hendrix

Johnny Thomas Hendrix was born on February 8, 1941, in Bolivar, Tennessee, to Raymond and Delia Hendrix. In 1975, Johnny married Dorothy Hendrix. They shared 48 years of marriage before her passing. Together they built a life centered around family and created memories that will continue to be shared for generations.

After a life filled with hard work, laughter, adventure, and an immeasurable love for his family, Johnny left this world to enter Heaven’s gates. A stroke greatly limited his speech for the last 23 years of his life, but it certainly never stopped him from having something to say. Johnny remained fully aware of what he wanted and, more often than not, figured out a way to make sure everyone else knew it too. His family finds comfort—and a little humor—in imagining him entering Heaven with his voice fully restored and finally getting to say everything he has been saving up for the past 23 years.

Johnny was a hardworking man throughout his life. He worked as a mechanic on big trucks for Ryder before later joining Walmart Distribution, where he finished his career.

Johnny loved the outdoors. Fishing, hunting, camping, boating, gardening, riding his 4-wheeler, and tinkering with things were among his favorite ways to spend his time. As much as he enjoyed those things himself, what made them even better was sharing them with his grandchildren. From the time his grandchildren were born, Johnny was determined to include them in the things he loved. He enjoyed helping them up a tree to pick apples, even if it meant he might get peed on. He built the treehouses and he made and hung the swings. He drug the flatbottom out when the yard was full of water and carried them around to create memories. He taught many of grandkids to ski, dragging them all over the lake behind his boat until they got the hang of it or pulling them on a tube. Summer camping trips became a family tradition and created the kind of memories that only become more precious with time. He was the absolute best Papa.

Johnny was a kind and humble soul who was slow to anger and quick to laugh. He had a wonderful sense of humor, found joy in the little things, and was known for giving some of the very best one-handed hugs, always with the tightest squeeze.

Johnny spent the last three years of his life at The Crossing at Riverside, where he made many friends. He could frequently be found making his rounds through the halls in his electric chair, visiting with others and keeping up with what was going on. When he wasn’t making his rounds, he enjoyed settling in and watching Westerns or sitting out under the gazebo. Even though the stroke changed the way he communicated, it never changed the man he was. Johnny still had opinions, still had something to say, and a majority of the time knew how to get it, especially when it came to ice cream sandwiches or the sugar in his eggs. Those who knew him well knew there was never much question about what Johnny wanted or what he had to say. No matter what his challenges were, he found a way to live life to the fullest with a smile on his face.

Johnny leaves behind his children, Kathy (Tim) Liles, Tim (Debbie) Holt, Ted (Keena) Holt, Thomas Hendrix, Judy Harmon, and Vicki Hendrix; his grandchildren, Joey, Shana, Kristi, Sara, Lauren, Andrew, McKenzie, Gracie, Courtney, Brandi, Bradley, Tyler, Michala, Shalena, Katie, and Rachel; as well as 24 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind extended family and friends who will deeply miss his humor, kindness, determination, and unmistakable presence.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Delia Hendrix; his beloved wife, Dorothy Hendrix; his granddaughter, Emmaly Holt; and all of his 10 siblings.

There simply are not enough words to describe the immense love Johnny had for his family. He found his greatest joy in the people he loved, and his family is better for having had him in their lives. His love didn’t require many words. Johnny’s life was one of quiet strength, hard work, simple joys, humor, determination, and a deep devotion to his family. His family takes comfort in knowing that Johnny is whole again, reunited with those who went before him, and—with his voice fully restored—probably has quite a lot to say.

He was deeply loved, and he will be deeply missed. Until we see your bright face light up again…….

Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. Funeral will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, with burial in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens. Online guest book at www.smithfamilycares.com