By Barry L. Buford, J.D.
Virginia Curtis Henley and Dorothy Kervin Newell were good friends and both have left a legacy for Faulkner University and Christian education. The friendship began at church in Spanish Fort, Alabama where Virginia’s husband, Lavon Henley, now deceased, served as an elder. He was a long-time board member of Faulkner University, and he and Virginia established the Lavon and Virginia Henley Family Endowment Fund for the V.P. Black College of Biblical Studies helping students majoring in Bible. They have two sons, Lynn who is married to Susan and Van who is married to Suzanne. Both sons continue their legacy. Lynn graduated from Alabama Christian College in 1975 and from Faulkner in 1995.
Dorothy Kervin Newell relied on Lavon to fix things at her house. He being the servant that he was, became her “go-to” person, and the friendship blossomed. When Mrs. Newell first contacted me about estate planning and her intent to leave Faulkner University her estate, I tried respectfully to reach out to her. Finally, I talked to Lavon and Virginia and they told me that she would contact me when she was ready to talk. She called one day and indicated she wanted to leave all her worldly possessions to Faulkner University. We talked frequently then, and I presented her wishes to Faulkner President Mitch Henry who, as Mrs. Newell’s attorney at that time, helped Mrs. Newell to put it all in place.
Mrs. Newell was a long-time school teacher in Mobile County who had no children but did have one brother that she took care of on the farm in Butler County where she grew up. Her home was in Daphne, Alabama. While caring for her brother for several years, she only came back to Daphne on the weekends or as time would permit from the farm in Industry, Alabama. Mrs. Newell died on July 26, 2022. She was buried in the cemetery at the Industry Church of Christ. She left a legacy in excess of $1.2 million for Faulkner University and Christian education for generations to come.
When Mrs. Newell passed away, Virginia Henley was a tremendous help in providing contact persons to facilitate in closing the estate. In fact, she frequently checked on the house before and after the estate sale, retrieved mail, scheduled yard service, and generally kept Faulkner informed on all aspects of the property. Mrs. Henley is the very example of the woman described in Proverbs 31, and Faulkner University is fortunate to know this great lady and her late husband Lavon.
The legacies of both the Henleys and Mrs. Newell are intertwined because of their love for Faulkner University, Christian education, and the kingdom of God. Only in eternity will the impact be known as to the legacies of these very generous individuals.
There are many ways you can support the mission of Faulkner University. We are here to help you find an option that works best for you. There are a number of estate planning opportunities available which allow you to reduce your tax exposure, increase the amount you pass on to your heirs and make a gift to charity. If you are interested in giving back to Faulkner in a similar fashion as Mrs. Newell please visit faulknerheritage.org.