Lucille Berniece Hanks' Obituary
L. Berniece Hanks, 88, of Decatur passed away on Monday, December 30, 2013 at 10:15 PM in Decatur Memorial Hospital surrounded by her big family.
Berniece was born on February 9, 1925 in Niantic, IL the daughter of Henry Russell and Nellie Ellen (Hodson) Drake. She was a homemaker, caregiver, and an avid volunteer for the Salvation Army and Macon County Senior Center for many years. She was a member of Ss. James & Patrick Parish. She enjoyed traveling with family and friends, The Red Hat Society, and going to the Salvation Army. She was many things to people: Mom, Momma, Ma, Grandma, Granny, Grams, Aunt Berniece, Aunt Bea, Berniece, Bea, Mrs. Hanks, but most especially was “Sass” or “Sassafras”. She married V.W., “Shorty” , “Buck” Hanks on August 6, 1943 in Decatur, IL at St. Patrick Rectory. He preceded her in death on July 8, 1982.
Berniece leaves behind daughters, Claudia (Butch Fischer) Hanks Caldwell of Augusta, GA; Teri (Kent) Hanks Libell of Harristown, IL; Geri (Phil) Hanks Edwards of Warrensburg, IL; Pamela Hanks of Harristown, IL; son by heart, Terry Lee Hanks of Tampa, FL; daughter by heart, Donna Rae (David) Hanks Kemp of Decatur, IL; grandchildren, daughter of Rusty Hanks (unknown), Robert “Bobby” (Lisa) Hanks of Shobonier, IL; Suzanna Hanks of Bloomington, IL; Nathaniel Hanks of Decatur, IL; Leann (Sue Borrenpohl) Riebold of Trenton, IL; Heather (Doug) Doan of Ridge Springs, SC; Candace (John Williams Jr) Hayes of Decatur, IL; Hollie Burns of Decatur, IL; Michael Edwards of Warrensburg, IL; Christopher Edwards of Chicago, IL; Lucas (Erika Bell) Edwards of Columbia, MO; Cory (Lauren) Edwards of Macon, IL; granddaughter by heart, Sherry (Jim Zerfowski) Crist of Decatur, IL; grandson by heart, Todd (Jeff Cook) Russell of Decatur, IL; granddaughter by heart, Miranda Jones of Niantic, IL; She also leaves behind 13 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Berniece was reunited with her parents, husband, 2 sons, Willis Russell (Rusty), Darrell Clayton Hanks, 2 brothers and 4 sisters.
Special thanks goes to Ruth and Tay, her personal caregivers, staff at CHELP, St. Mary’s Adult Day Center, staff at McKinley Court, Starting Point staff, ICU staff at DMH. Extra special thanks goes to daughter by heart Linda Lue Stiles Caldwell and son by heart Paul Richard Caldwell and all of her good neighbors and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Saturday, January 4, 2014 in St. Patrick Catholic Church with Rev. John Burnette as Celebrant. Visitation will be 5-7 PM Friday in Moran & Goebel Funeral Home with a Vigil Prayer Service at 4:30 PM Friday. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Adult Day Center.
The family of Lucille Berniece Hanks is being served by Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe Street, Decatur, IL. View the on line obituary, share memories, and send condolences to the family at www.moranandgoebel.com
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