Vema Jewel Hensarling, 93, of Fort Worth, Texas, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Monday, August 24, 2026 while under hospice care. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Vema was born on May 7, 1933, in Fort Worth, Texas. She was the oldest daughter of Jesse Earl and Lola Mae Caraway. She had one sister, Peggy Jean Jackson and they grew up in a small home in Fort Worth near Texas Wesleyan College (now Texas Wesleyan University). Her family attended the Methodist church near the university, where she would become the youth director.

Vema graduated from Polytechnic High School and later Texas Wesleyan University.

Vema was known for her love for her Savior, Jesus Christ. She came to know Him as her personal Savior in August, 1960, after being married and having her first two daughters. She even helped her youngest daughter, Beth, make her decision to follow Jesus when she was 6.

She loved to teach children. So, she went back to Texas Wesleyan to become an elementary school teacher. She taught 2nd and 3rd grade for eight years at Castleberry ISD in River Oaks, Texas.

Vema had a heart for Jesus, desiring to tell others about Him and working in various ministries in the church. She taught Pioneer Girls and Awana Clubs on Wednesday evenings at Northwest Bible Church in Fort Worth, Texas, where she was also the VBS director for eight years.

Vema was very organized and loved to plan parties for her daughters, as well as for the church children, youth and adults. Everyone enjoyed her parties as she made sure there was lots of fun, and some silly, games for all ages. She often joined the children’s, and youth church camps each summer as a counselor, actively planning and participating in the games. She was even known to short sheet some counselors’ beds. Vema knew how to have fun and those who were lucky to be a part of her life enjoyed her infectious joy for Jesus Christ.

Vema loved to listen to Christian music. Having a pretty alto voice, she sang in the choir for a few years at Northwest Bible Church in Fort Worth. Though she was a capable pianist, she wouldn’t play often, and certainly not with the door open for others to “hear” or watch her.

Vema was very creative and talented. She painted numerous oil paintings for herself and her family. Vema sewed countless dresses, shirts, skirts, vests, culottes and skorts for her daughters and herself. She made Barbie clothes, area rugs and blankets for them as well. She even found a way to make Debbie’s first Barbie furniture, all out of cardboard and paper. Vema could crochet some lovely afghan blankets. She even made the bouquets and boutonnieres for Becky’s wedding.

Later in Vema’s adult life, she obtained her Masters in Biblical Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. She also lived and worked at DTS for many years. She developed and taught a number of Bible studies as well as a How to Journal class for women.

While taking care of her husband, John, during his bout with cancer, she found her life prayer verse on September 3, 1981. “I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1. And, her favorite verse was, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents; her sister; her in-laws and many other family members.

Vema is survived by her daughters, Debbie, Becky and her husband, Jim Nevins, and Beth and her husband, Steve Robertson; four grandsons and eight great-grandchildren.

Vema was well loved and she taught others how to love and love Jesus. She is greatly missed.