Country music’s ‘oldest living legend’ dead at 109: ‘A self-made star’

EntertainmentViolet Hensley, a legendary fiddle player and maker, has died. (Will McLelland | AL.com) Will McLellandBy Brian Linder | blinder@pennlive.comCountry music has lost, perhaps, its oldest living legend with the death of Violet Hensley.She was 109.KY3 in Branson, Missouri, said she was a “Silver Dollar City legend known as the ‘Whittlin’ Fiddler.’” Saving Country Music called her the “oldest living country legend.”Hensley’s mother passed away when she was young, and her father taught her to play the fiddle and to make them, too. Not only was she a talented player, but her ability to craft the instruments was renowned for more than five decades. And her talent took her places.According to KY3, she appeared on “The Beverly Hillbillies” and even became friends with Irene Ryan, who played “Granny” on the hit show. The station said that Hensley also made appearances on Art Linkletter’s show, “Captain Kangaroo,” “To Tell the Truth,” and “Live with Regis and Kathy Lee.”Her talent even took her to the Grand Ole Opry, earned her a spot in the National Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame and even a spot in the Smithsonian.“8.7.26 dearest family community friends loved ones, the astounding, magnificent personality musician Miss Violet Hensley has gently passed at her home around 2 pm today,” Linda Chris Smith wrote on Facebook. “She was surrounded by her loving wonderful children and grandchildren. “Violet and her family are great people of faith,” Smith added. “This precious soul made an incredible impact on thousands of people. A self-made star taught herself to be a great entertainer. Violet was blessed with lots of wit and charisma. Violet will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Adrian in Layton Cemetery.”The city of Leslie, Arkansas, also shared a post about her death and called her “a true Arkansas legend.”Silver Dollar City also released a statement following her death.“She wasn’t simply one of America’s most respected fiddle makers and musicians, she was the heart of an Ozarks tradition that connected generations to this special place,” it read. “To know Violet was to experience genuine kindness, quiet humility and unwavering love for others and her deep, deep love for her family. Not only was she an Arkansas treasure, through her wit and talent, she won heart on her national television appearances like the Grand Ole Opry.”Brian Linder is the trending editor at PennLive.com. He has more than 20 years of experience working for newspapers first in South Carolina, then Daytona Beach, Florida and now in Pennsylvania. Linder spent...