 Hensley had five children with his second wife , Irene . She was from a prosperous Lutheran family of German descent but believed that she was suffering a curse . She and her family had hoped that Hensley could free her from the curse , but ultimately felt that he was unable to . The marriage was contentious because of Hensley 's frequent unemployment and poor treatment of Irene . He found intermittent work , including bricklaying , but Irene 's family had to help support them ; her mother provided the family with clothing . After seven years of marriage , Irene left Hensley and returned to her family , although she returned to Hensley and reconciled with him . One of their sons recalled that Irene was much more religious than Hensley , whom he claims only spoke about spiritual matters if there were church leaders present . Hensley was again separated from Irene around 1941 . The cause of the estrangement is unknown , although one of their sons claimed that she threatened to have him arrested . She reconciled with him after he promised to find steady employment , and they returned to Pineville with their children . Hensley wanted to put their children in an orphanage so Irene could travel with him , but she refused . After a visit from her sister , Irene again left him ; she and her children went to live with Hensley 's children from his first marriage . A divorce was granted in 1943 . Irene later died of complications following surgery for goiter . Hensley attended the wake and visited his children , but departed without them and did not return . 
