She was born in Montgomery County, Arkansas on October 21, 1916 in a log cabin built by her grandfather. Her father was born in the same cabin. She was the third daughter born to George and Nora Brumley. They battled hardship, as an older sister died at the age of three weeks and another sister contracted spinal meningitis and had to relearn how to walk. When Hensley was 11 years old, her mother passed away.

So at a young age, she began the work of farming. She said, “I loved farmin’. I loved to plow and watch the dirt turn over. I loved to plant and see the plants grow. Then, the harvest.” She remembers letting her horses go as fast as they pleased while she was plowing. She chopped wood so well that a visitor once commented, “That girl wields an axe like a man!” She says she was “pretty good” with a crosscut saw too.

She didn’t have the advantage of a formal education. The school was over 2 miles from her home and in cold or rainy weather, she didn’t make the long walk. Finally, her dad said he just couldn’t afford to buy any school books and that was the end of her schooling. Her dad taught her how to make a living by “the sweat of her brow” and how to handle money. What she lacked in “book learning” was compensated by real life hard work, lessons in integrity, and the ability to make an honest living.

But life was not all work. Whittling and fiddling offered outlets from the pressures of everyday life. Hensley’s father taught her these simple joys and often they played the fiddle and sang. He made his own fiddles and sometimes that skill helped support the family. He traded one fiddle for a wagon, another for a shotgun, and another for a milk cow with a baby calf. It was her father’s influence that led Violet to start fiddling as a child. He helped her learn the basic notes, but she said playing “Just came natural”. She certainly has a God-given gift for music!

When Violet was around 15 years old, she told her dad that she wanted to make a fiddle. He said, “There are the tools and the wood. Help yourself”. And she did. She handcrafted her first fiddle and numbered it. She went on to make 73 fiddles! She made the fiddle she primarily uses today in 1934.

One day, out of the blue, two boys showed up at the family farm seeking work. One of them caught Violet’s eye and they were married six months later. Violet and Adren Hensley had 10 children and, as you can imagine, life was very busy. They briefly moved to Oregon to make a living picking strawberries and digging potatoes. But when they learned of 40 acres of land for sale near Yellville, Arkansas for $250, they came “home”. And they stayed.

Even though time did not permit for much fiddling, it was never far from Violet’s mind. However, everyday chores kept her busy. She recalls cooking for her large family and, at one time, she figured out a way to bake 36 biscuits at a time using a door off an old Model T. When it outlived its usefulness for that purpose, it was put outside and used to water the hogs.

In 1960, friends persuaded Violet to enter a fiddling contest in Yellville. She won second place and soon got the attention of folks at Silver Dollar City. At first, they wanted her to work as a woodcarver. But after hearing her play, they changed their minds and simply wanted her to fiddle. Directors of craft fairs came to her door. She played at War Eagle, Mountain Home, and Mountain View. She began making television appearances and travelling. One time when she was in Denver, she requested a hotel room “looking out over the mountains”.

When the “Beverly Hillbillies” filmed some episodes at Silver Dollar City, Violet was there “Walkin’ along and eatin’ an ice cream cone with Granny”’. But most of her time at Silver Dollar City was spent playing and demonstrating the art of fiddle making.

In 1990, she was interviewed by the Springfield Business Journal. She said, “I love it here. (Silver Dollar City) I must have a million friends that I have met. I’ve been here for 24 years and I want to be here for 24 more.” She paused and added, “I would be 98 years old then.” She did, indeed, play at Silver Dollar City when she was 98 -- and 99 -- and 100 -- and is still fiddling.

On August 6, 2016, Violet realized a life-long dream when she played on-stage at the Grand Ole Opry. She wowed the crowd, jubilation beaming across her face. It was a moment that took a lifetime to achieve and she thoroughly enjoyed it. So did the audience, who gave her a standing ovation. She was amazed that so many friends and neighbors followed her to Nashville to view her performance. She remarked, “It’s amazing to go somewhere and have someone following you around… I was just me. Pleased? Of course, yes, I was pleased. But it’s still just me. You don’t want to try to be somebody you’re not.”

She was called for a repeat performance at the Grand Ole Opry and played center stage on July 8, 2017. She was asked, “What is the secret to reaching 100 years old, Ms. Violet?” She smiled and said, “You love yourself and everybody else.” What great advice from a humble, sweet lady who has been making people smile for many, many years. The sparkle in her eyes indicates her love for people and enthusiasm for life. I know my life is richer from having met Violet Hensley.

“Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him. All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end, but love goes on forever.” 1 Cor. 13: 4-8