Mary Ethel Dalton McHenry, daughter of the late William Augustus and Blanch Allison Dalton, was born in Iredell County on March 8, 1928. She departed this life on Friday, April 3, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

She attended Houstonville and Unity High School. At an early age, she joined Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, Harmony, and later joined St. John Baptist Church, Statesville, where she was a President of the Usher Board, member of the Missionary Circle, Sunday School and Pastor’s Aide Committee.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, William V. Dalton and Jay Lynn Dalton; daughters, Mary Franklin “Frankie” McHenry Summers and Betty McHenry James; and her nephews, Gary McHenry and Gene Carpenter.

She leaves to cherish the memory of her life her children, Jimmy (Sarah) McHenry and Brenda Tenor, both of Statesville, and Cynthia Rose (Richard) Johnson of Claremont; a loving and devoted sister and brother-in-law, Cecelia Ann Dalton Moore and Hubert Moore; her grandchildren, Javon (Jill) Harrison, Dana Hammond, Charles (Casey) Tenor Jr., Ryan (Kim) Tenor, Betty (David) Brandyburg, Chris Leak, William (Tiffany) McHenry, Trina Irvis, Latisha Summers, Steven Darnell (Anita) Summers, Travis McHenry-Hooper, Poketa McHenry and Paul James Rose; a son-in-law, Kenneth James of Statesville; a sister-in-law, Hazel McHenry; her nieces, Tijuana Moore Irons of Silver Springs, Md., Vermel Moore of Statesville and Teresa (Curtis) Parker of Raleigh; her nephews, William A. (Yvonne) Dalton of Raleigh; and James (Wanda) Carpenter of Mooresville; a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

Rutledge & Bigham Funeral Home is serving the family.