Arthur Woodley Henton, 1897-1990

Arthur Woodley Henton was born March 11, 1897 in Melrose, Virginia, of John William and Alberta Florence (West) Henton. "Woodley," as he was known by family and friends, grew up in the small farming community of Melrose and attended Melrose schools and Friendship United Methodist Church. Woodley and his family were all lifelong Methodists and could recall the days when they rode to "preaching" in a "rockaway" buggy with pull-out seats. Brother Henton answered the call to preach in 1920 at the age of 23. He attended Shenandoah College and completed the four-year course.

While a student at Shenandoah, Woodley met Rosamont Ruth Proffill, a fellow student from Free Union, Virginia. They were married June 2, 1926, at Free Union, and there were no children of this marriage.

Brother Henton was ordained deacon in 1929, elder and full connection in 1931. He began his ministry in Elk Garden, West Virginia in 1926, followed by service at the following locations: Minnie Haw Haw Springs, W.Va. (three years); Eagle Rock, Va. (three years); Pembroke (four years); Lynchburg (five years); Covington (seven years); Danville (five years); and finally Stephens City in 1957 for five years. Brother Henton retired in 1963.

After retirement in 1963 Woodley and his wife moved to Free Union, Va., and he was called upon frequently to fill pulpits in the Charlottesville area. After the death of his wife in 1968, Woodley continued to live with and care for his elderly in-laws until his own health began to fail and he moved to Windham, a retirement home, in Crozet. Later, further health problems forced Brother to make his final earthly move to Eldercare Gardens in Charlottesville where he died on September 30, 1990. Interment was at the cemetery of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Free Union.

Brother Woodley Henton was a highly respected and loved minister of Jesus Christ, a warm friend and good neighbor, a caring family man and a great conversationalist. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

-Gerald P. Coleman