Country music legend Violet Hensley passes away at 109

Violet Hensley, a country music legend widely recognized as the “Whittlin’ Fiddler,” has passed away at the age of 109.

Hensley, who made her Grand Ole Opry debut in 2016 at age 99, breathed her last on August 7, 2026.

The small town of Leslie wrote of Hensley, who was Arkansas’ oldest living country music legend, on Facebook, “Today, it is with great sadness that we share the passing of Ms. Violet Hensley, a true Arkansas legend and an honorary member of the Leslie community.”

“Although Ms. Violet called Yellville home, she held a special place in the hearts of the people of Leslie. As the world-renowned Whittlin’ Fiddler, she embodied the traditions, craftsmanship, and spirit that have made our community the Whittling Capital of America.”

“In 2025, it was our great privilege to honor Ms. Violet by proclaiming Violet Hensley Day and presenting her with the Key to the City of Leslie in recognition of her lifetime of preserving the art of whittling and traditional Ozark music,” the post added.

It is pertinent to mention that the tribute concluded, highlighting that Violet Hensley’s “kindness, humility, and passion inspired countless people, and she graciously became part of our Leslie family.”