Judith Marie (O'Kon) Hensley

Judith Marie Hensley (née O’Kon), 78, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away on September 21, 2025. Judy was born on August 17, 1947, in Calexico, Calif., to Lorraine (Trampf) and Walter O’Kon. Because of her father’s work with the U.S. Border Patrol and the U.S. Immigration Service, the family moved frequently during her early years before settling in Miami, Fla. She attended Catholic elementary school and graduated from Miami Palmetto High School in 1965. A gifted student with a natural aptitude for mathematics and mechanics, Judy enrolled in engineering courses at a local junior college while still in high school. Her talent earned her recognition in a local newspaper and a full scholarship offer to the Georgia Institute of Technology. Ultimately, she attended Miami-Dade Junior College. In 1967, Judy worked as a dispatcher for Florida Power & Light. That summer she met Jim Grammer, an upholsterer serving in the U.S. Air Force. They were married later that year. Their daughter, Teresa Marie (“Tracy”), was born in April 1968, followed by their son, James Jr., in May 1969. In 1972, Judy and her family relocated to El Toro, California. There she learned the upholstery trade and also sewed piecework for a local baby bedding company. Together with her husband, she helped launch several small business ventures, including an upholstery service and a water ski bag line. Their most successful enterprise, Gramco Manufacturing, produced baby bedding sold worldwide. Judith served as Vice President of Production, and the company achieved annual sales exceeding $1m for several consecutive years. After her divorce in 1985, Judy eventually sold her share of the business. Just about to turn 40, she decided she had earned herself the right to have some fun. She traded in the old Gramco van for a tricked-out Mazda RX-7 and took up line dancing at the Crazy Horse in Santa Ana, California. It was there that she met Jack Hensley. They were married in 1993. Judy and Jack shared a love of the open road and were active members of the Gold Wing Riders Club, spending many weekends on the bike together and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow riders. These years were among Judy’s happiest. Inspired in part by her membership in the GWRC, Judy founded Anchor Custom Covers, a business specializing in custom boat, motorcycle, and canvas covers. She ran the company independently for nearly 30 years, earning a reputation for precision, ingenuity, and reliability. Around 2000, Judy and Jack relocated to Knoxville, Tenn,, where she continued her work as a sewer, upholsterer, and problem-solver for a devoted customer base. Widowed in 2016, she remained deeply committed to her work despite declining health. In 2022, her son James moved in with her and began learning the business at her side. He completed his first solo boat cover project on the day Judy entered palliative care – a moment that brought her great peace and pride. Judy was known for her strength, independence, quick wit, and determination, balanced by a deep tenderness toward people and animals alike. She loved country music, word-search puzzles, tending her orchids, feeding wild birds, the season’s first snow, and quiet morning routines. Her home reflected a life well lived, filled with photographs, artwork, and gifts from people she loved. The neighborhood will miss her generous annual holiday cookie deliveries. Judy believed in hard work, self-reliance, and moving forward with grace. Her lifelong motto was “Say thank you and move on.” She is deeply loved and missed. Judy is survived by her brother, Walter O’Kon of St. Augustine, Fla.; her sister, Jeanne O’Kon of Tallahassee, Fla.; her daughter, Tracy Grammer of Greenfield, Mass.; her son, James Grammer Jr. of Knoxville, Tenn.; and her beloved dog, Peaches. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and many friends. She was predeceased by her parents; her husbands, Jim Grammer Sr. and Jack Hensley; two beloved neighbors; and several cherished pets. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation or to your favorite local no-kill animal shelter. No services will be held at this time. Online condolences may be sent to www.mynattfh.com Mynatt Funeral Home, Halls Chapel is honored to serve the family of Judith Marie Hensley.