Violet Hensley

Violet Hensley, the “Whittlin’ Fiddler” of the Ozarks, lived 109 years as a master fiddle maker and traditional musician. Born in 1916 near Mount Ida, Arkansas, she carved instruments by hand, raised nine children, performed for decades at Silver Dollar City, appeared on national television, and made her Grand Ole Opry debut at 99. She died August 7, 2026, in Yellville, leaving a lasting legacy of Ozarks craftsmanship and music.