 Hensley lived in Tennessee until at least late 1941 . He then moved to Evansville , Indiana , after separating from Irene . After a brief stay in Pineville , Hensley returned to Ooltewah in 1943 . There he stayed with family members and held religious services . Snake handling had lost popularity since the late 1920s and groups that promoted nontrinitarianism had become popular . Various churches in the area barred those who practiced snake handling from membership . 
