Profile Text
Birth Name: Gwendolyn Kay Henley
Date of Birth: February 18, 1955
Place of Birth: Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Date of Death: May 29, 2021
Place of Death: Percy Priest Lake, Tennessee, U.S.
Ethnicity: English, Irish, German, Scottish, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Swedish, more distant French and Swiss-German
Gwen Shamblin Lara, also known simply as Gwen Shamblin, was an American dietitian and church leader. She came up with the Christian dieting program Weigh Down Workshop; and founded the Remnant Fellowship Church, which she oversaw.
Gwen was the daughter of Betty M. and Dr. Walter Hodges Henley, a general surgeon. She was raised in the Church of Christ. Gwen was married to actor Joe Lara , until their deaths. Gwen died in a plane crash, along with Joe, and five other members of the Remnant Fellowship Church. She had two children with her former husband David Shamblin.
Gwen’s patrilineal line can be traced back to John Hendley, who was born, c. 1350, in Cranbrook, Kent, England.
Gwen’s paternal grandfather was Robert A. Henley (the son of Zachariah Henley and Slomay/Salome Ann Smith). Robert was born in Louisiana. Zachariah was born in St. Tammany, Louisiana, the son of Jeremiah Monroe Henley, Jr. and Amanda Christiana Nelson, whose parents were Swedish. Gwen’s great-grandmother Slomay was the daughter of James Smith and Mariah Wingate.
Gwen’s paternal grandmother was Ruby Margaret “Maggie” Eddins (the daughter of John Henry Eddins and Emma Jane Hodges). Ruby was born in Mississippi. John was born in Alabama, the son of William Abner Eddins, whose paternal grandmother was from Aulnay, Marne, Champagne-Ardenne, France; and of Martha Jane Hardee. Gwen’s great-grandmother Emma was born in Pachuta, Clarke, Mississippi, the daughter of Powhatan/Pawhattan Ellis Hodges and Eliza Ann/Anne Arledge, whose paternal grandmother was English.
Gwen’s maternal grandfather was Joseph Nelson McNeil (the son of The Rev. William Cary McNeil and Mabel Alicia Carter). Joseph was born in Deer Creek, Tazewell County, Illinois. The Rev. William was born in Ohio, the son of Joseph Nelson McNeil, Jr., whose maternal grandparents were from what is now Northern Irleand, with roots in Antrim; and of Nancy Elmira Rogers. Gwen’s great-grandmother Mabel was born in Kirksville, Adair County, Missouri, the daughter of William Henry Carter, whose maternal grandparents were from Loch Lee, Angus-shire, Scotland and England; respectively; and of Emma Malvina Park.
Gwen’s maternal grandmother was Ona Beatrice Force (the daughter of John Bell Force and Cora May Burleson). Ona was born in Tennessee. John was born in Brownsville, Haywood County, Tennessee, the son of William M. Force and Laura Lenderman. Cora was born in Tennessee, the daughter of David Anderson Burleson and Mary Elizabeth Pennington.
Gwen’s matrilineal line can be traced to Anna Hodel, who was born, c. 1570, in Muttenz, Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland.
Gwen was a half-sixth cousin of musician Don Henley . Gwen’s paternal great-great-great-great-great-grandfather, Darby Henley, Jr., was also Don’s paternal five times great-grandfather.
Sources: Genealogy of Gwen Shamblin Lara – https://www.findagrave.com
Genealogy of Gwen Shamblin Lara (focusing on her father’s side) – https://www.geni.com