Jack Hankins

Heading: Jack P. Hankins Dateline: Wellford, SC WELLFORD, SC - Jack Peery Hankins, 94, died May 13, 2010. Mr. Hankins was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Kathryne C. Hankins. Survivors are his children, Beverly H. Meyer and husband Jim of Lyman, SC; Jackie H. McAdams and husband Bill of Wellford, SC; David B. Hankins and wife Emily of Hillsborough, NC. Grandchildren are Scott Meyer and wife Trisha of Shelby, NC; Lia Byers and husband Mike of Morrisville, NC; Megan McCravy and husband Marshall of Aiken, SC; Taylor Hankins of Hillsborough, NC; Corbin Hankins of Raleigh, NC. Great grandchildren are Victoria Vinole of Shelby, NC; Gage Byers of Morrisville, NC; and Jack, Anna, and Sam McCravy of Aiken, SC. Mr. Hankins was in radio and TV broadcasting for 62 years, beginning in 1942 at WORD in Spartanburg, SC and retiring in 1991 from Radio Station WELS in Kinston, NC as general manager and co-owner. From radio he went to presenting interviews on 'Hankins and Guest' and 'In Focus' at TAC9, community TV station. Over his 62 years in broadcasting he interviewed 4,000 people in 39 states and 14 foreign countries. He retired from TV in 2004 at age 88 when he moved to Wellford, SC to be near family. Mr. Hankins was very active in local, county, and state levels of service. He belonged to the Civitan and Kiwanis Clubs and was an officer at both local and state levels. He received the Citizen of the Year by the Kinston Chamber of Commerce He was very active in Spilman Memorial Baptist Church where he was a member for over 60 years. He was supportive of the Kinston Public Library and Lenoir Memorial Hospital Volunteer Program. He endowed a scholarship for a Horticultural student at Lenoir Community College in memory of his wife, Kathryne C. Hankins. He held offices at the local and state levels for the NC 4-H program. He served as President and lifetime member of the NC Farm Writers Association. He was a past time President of the NC Broadcasters Association and was inducted into the NC Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He received the Earle Gluck Award for Distinguished Service from the NC/SC Broadcasters Association. At age 65 when most folks were thinking about Social Security benefits, Mr. Hankins learned to fly, , recognizing a dream that began at age 9. He was a flying member of the Civil Air Patrol and a member of the Lenoir County Airport Commission. As a final tribute to Mr. Hankins, the State of North Carolina presented to him the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor that North Carolina can bestow. Services for Mr. Hankins will be at Spilman Memorial Baptist Church, 601 Madison Ave., Kinston, NC, Saturday, May 22nd at 1pm. Visitation will be in the church fellowship hall on Friday, May 21st 7-9pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Spilman Church or the Benevolent Fund, Wellford Baptist Church, Wellford, SC 29385 Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com

Jack Hankins

April 15, 1916 - May 13, 2010