of Dover, AR
December 31, 1921 - June 18, 2019
Rev. Don R. Hankins, 97, a resident of Dover passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at the St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville.
He was born December 31, 1921, at Lamar to the late Emery Virgil and Bessie Myrtle (Wallace) Hankins. After the unexpected passing of his mother, Bro. Hankins was raised by his grandparents, John Wesley and Annie Hankins who he thought of as parents. Bro. Hankins served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1946. He was a veteran of World War II and took part in the Battle of the Bulge. He married Marilyn Higgs on September 1, 1946, in Knoxville. After his military service Bro. Hankins graduated from Central Baptist College in North Little Rock with an Associate of Arts degree and went on to graduate from the College of the Ozarks in Clarksville with a Bachelors of Arts in Education. He taught from 1952 until 1965 at public schools including Knoxville, Havana, Catawissa, Missouri and the Russellville School District at London and Gardner Junior High School. Bro. Hankins took pride in being a part of public education for 39 years with 13 years as a teacher, 13 years as a school bus driver and 13 years as a cafeteria assistant at Hector Public Schools. During his teaching career he also had surrendered to the ministry and served full time as a Southern Baptist minister. He pastored fulltime from 1948 until 1988 at numerous churches including Southern Baptist Churches at Pittsburgh, Hartman, Centerville, Havana and Dover where he retired after 28 years. During his retirement he filled the pulpit for pastors in numerous churches in the area. In his spare time Bro. Hankins loved woodworking, both vegetable and flower gardening and reading.
Bro. Hankins was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Marilyn (Higgs) Hankins; four brothers, Gene, John W., Charles S. and Leon Hankins; a sister, Lucille Hancock and a son-in-law, Jim Rader.
Survivors include three sons, Hartsel Hankins and his wife, Macil , Kenny Hankins and his wife, Paula and Jerry Hankins and his wife, Freida, all of Dover; a daughter, Vicki Rader of Fayetteville; a brother, Donald R. Hankins of Tampa Florida; a sister, Iva Mae McGuire of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren, Monte Hankins of Dover, Erica Hankins of Conway, Jason Hankins and his wife, Audra of Fayetteville, Colby Hankins and his wife, Casey of Paris, Brian Rutlege and his wife, Vicki of Ramstein, Germany, Mark Rutlege of Dover, Jessica Smith and her husband, Chris of Conway and Charlie Rader of Fayetteville; 17 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 21, 2019, at the First Baptist Church of Dover, 149 SR 164 East, Dover, AR 72837.
The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 22, 2019, at the First Baptist Church of Dover, 149 SR 164 East, Dover, AR 72837 with Dr. Jeff Paxton and Rev. Brian Brown officiating. Burial will follow at McFadden Cemetery in Dover under the direction of Roller Funeral Home in Paris.
Pallbearers will be Jason and Monte Hankins, Mark Rutlege, Blake and Trey Lackey and Kenneth Buchanan. Honorary pallbearers will be the Men's II Sunday School Class, Rev. Joe Yates and Rev. Ira Taylor.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Dover Benevolent Fund, 149 SR 164 East, Dover, AR 72837 or the Gideons International, Boston Mountain Camp, P.O. Box 4507, Fayetteville, AR 72701.
Sign Guestbook
19 Condolence(s)
Kit brooks. Kim berry
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Colby and family
We are sorry for your loss we are praying for your family ...
Judy Young Murphy
Friday, June 21, 2019
Brother Hankins was a truly wonderful person. He was one of the most wonderful and giving persons that I have ever known. He has touched so many lives through out the years and has had an influence on all of those he has touched. My heart and prayers go out to all of his family for having lost Brother Hankins. Please be comforted by the fact that he was loved by so many people. Judy
Doug and Lawania Ford
Friday, June 21, 2019
WE OFFER OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AT THIS TIME OF
GREAT LOSS
Cynthia Ryals
Friday, June 21, 2019
I so loved your mom& dad. And glad God put me in your family all of took me in and lov
Nancy Terry
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Sorry for your loss.
Nancy
Sarah Carter
Thursday, June 20, 2019
I have many fond memories of Bro. Hankins and will always remember him for being such a good friend to my uncle Frank Turner and to my mother Ruth Jennings.
Ellis Hottinger
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
What can one say, when The subject is Rev. Don Roy Hankins, he lived his life in the service of our Living Lord. He will be remembered as a great servant to mankind..
Danny and Teresa (Waldo) Sims
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
A truly amazing man. Brother Hankins was loved so very much by our family. He will be remembered fondly when we tell stories of him. From a young child to adulthood Brother Hankins was always there for us, good times and bad. We are blessed our God placed him in our lives and at Dover. We love you Hankins Family.
I can remember Brother Hankins reminding me of this scripture upon a couple of occasions.
Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Courtney Coffman Kendrick
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
I remember Mr. Hankins working in the cafeteria at Hector. He was always there willing to help a child open his/her milk and put their tray away (among many other things too). What a great life he lived! My condolences.
Doug Young
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
I have spent many hours with the
Family , and grew up with his sons and daughter .Alwyas accepted me as one of the family he will be greatly missed . Love Doug
Angela Koster
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
My heart goes out to all his family and friends. He was a true man of God in everyway and he will be truly missed. I loved Bro Hankins and Sister Hankins very much. I am going to miss seeing come through with his daughter where I work. May God fill all of you with peace and comfort.
Chad and Rhonda Masters
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Sorry for your loss but take comfort knowing the assurance that he had. God bless your family.
Rena' Taylor
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Bro. Hankins and his wife babysat my oldest son, Bradley, during my first year of teaching in Dover. Later, in the Hector School District, I saw him daily, interacting with students in the cafeteria. He loved the students and they loved him. I know he will be greatly missed by so many!
Lisa Jones
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
So sorry for the passing of a Great Man. Praying for your family
Michael and Anna (Wetzel) Grant
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Rev. Hankins was such a sweet man. He will he missed by many. Prayers for all the family. We know Rev. Hankins is rejoicing with the Lord!
Stephanie Shelton
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
He influenced my life, taught me things. He truly loved his family and God. He will be greatly missed. He gave me my graduation Bible. His legacy lives on in his family, church and community.
Charlotte Teeter
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
So sorry to hear about this. You are all in my prayers. “Pawdy†will truly be missed! He was a very special person to all who knew him.
James Corbin
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
So sorry for your loss, prayers for the family.
Mickey Oates
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Colby, Casey and family:
So sorry for your loss. I’m so glad he was able to come when you filled in for us Colby. May you all treasure your memories until you meet again.
Mickey