Violet Hensley, known as the “Whittlin’ Fiddler” and a “Silver Dollar City legend,” died on Friday, Aug. 7. She was 109.

“Today, it is with great sadness that we share the passing of Ms. Violet Hensley, a true Arkansas legend and an honorary member of the Leslie community,” the small town of Leslie wrote of Hensley, who was Arkansas’ oldest living country music legend, on Facebook.

The tribute continued, “Although Ms. Violet called Yellville home, she held a special place in the hearts of the people of Leslie. As the world-renowned Whittlin’ Fiddler, she embodied the traditions, craftsmanship, and spirit that have made our community the Whittling Capital of America.”
Violet Hensley.Leslie, Arkansas/Facebook
“In 2025, it was our great privilege to honor Ms. Violet by proclaiming Violet Hensley Day and presenting her with the Key to the City of Leslie in recognition of her lifetime of preserving the art of whittling and traditional Ozark music,” the post added. “Her kindness, humility, and passion inspired countless people, and she graciously became part of our Leslie family.”

Hensley was introduced to the fiddle early in life when her father taught her how to carve and play the instrument, according to local news outlet KY3. After abandoning the fiddle for 27 years as she raised nine children, she rediscovered her love for fiddling and whittling in the 1960s.

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In addition to making fiddles and performing for decades at Missouri’s Silver Dollar City in Branson, Hensley made her Grand Ole Opry debut in 2016 at age 99, as seen in videos shared by the iconic venue.

She also appeared on The Beverly Hillbillies when they came to Silver Dollar City to film the TV show.

“Today, we celebrate the beautiful life of our dear friend, Violet Hensley, who passed away at the remarkable age of 109,” a rep for Silver Dollar City shared in a statement to PEOPLE. “For decades, Violet touched hearts of Silver Dollar City guests and citizens through the sounds of her fiddle, the warmth of her smile and her stories.”

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“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,” the statement continued. “To know Violet was to experience genuine kindness, quiet humility and an unwavering love for others and her deep, deep love for her family.”

Beyond Silver Dollar City and the Grand Ole Opry, Hensley’s talents were featured at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and honored in the National Fiddler’s Hall of Fame. She also reflected on nearly a century of experiences in her 2014 book, Whittlin’ and Fiddlin’ My Own Way: The Violet Hensley Story.

Sources: https://people.com/violet-hensley-dead-country-music-legend-whittlin-fiddler-12037075