Edwin Hancock
Having lived a purpose filled life, Earnest Edwin Hancock, 81 passed away April 5, 2025, at the North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice Unit after a 3-month battle with cancer. Edwin was born September 4, 1943, in Houston, MS to the late James Edwin Hancock and the late Myra Etta Rhodes and lived his entire life in the Houston, MS area.
He was educated in the Houston Public Schools and graduated with the Class of 1961. He furthered his education at Wood Junior College before becoming a young father to two sons.
Edwin was a member of the Houston Jaycees, having served in many capacities at the local and state levels. He was a member of the Houston Masonic Lodge #69, Scottish Rite, as well as a Shriner. He traveled to Honduras on several Mission Trips where his legacy of doing for others will forever be memorialized in the churches and other structures that he helped build. Edwin was a talented wood worker and craftsman, building homes and custom cabinetry throughout the North Mississippi area with his brother Bob. After retiring due to health complications, he could be found in his shop building and crafting a variety of things including custom doll houses for lucky little girls, making clocks, crafts and designing and making lamps from old family heirlooms.
Having been a self-taught musician, Edwin crafted a dulcimer for his son made from walnut from a chest of drawers used in his son’s childhoods – a gift that will be treasured for generations to come. He also crafted a violin/fiddle that he gifted to his great-grandson. One of his favorite past times was making wine and bottling it under the name “Anchor Winery,” made from locally grown fruits of the vine, bushes, and fruit trees. He could often be found supporting Houston High School baseball, having played catcher during his high school years. He was extremely proud of his nephew, Luke Hancock, who was a member of the College World Series Championship team at Mississippi State University.
He and his wife were faithful members of Bethel Baptist Church where he was a member of the church brotherhood and the Adult 1 Sunday School Class.
Edwin is survived by his wife of 45 years, Wanda McQuary Hancock, whom he married in June of 1980, his son Gary Lee Hancock and his wife Mary Pat Hancock of Tupelo, MS; his granddaughter Hilary Claire Hancock Dodd and her husband Colby Dodd of Haleyville, AL; his grandson Hayden Miller Palmer ( Madison McCollum) of Tupelo, MS, his great-grandson Hayward Banks Dodd of Haleyville, AL; his brothers, Jerry Linn “Jake” Hancock of Woodland, MS and Robert Lee “Bob” Hancock and his wife Divinia of Houston, MS. A host of nieces and nephews and other family members also survive him.
He was proceeded in death by his father, James Edwin Hancock on February 13, 1981; his mother Myra Etta Rhodes Hancock on July 29, 2009; his son, John Kevin Hancock on March 1, 1991; his sister Linda Ann Hancock Hollingsworth on February 24, 1987; and his nephew Philip Ashley Hollingsworth on October 7, 2021.
Visitation for Mr. Hancock will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, from 4:00 pm until 8:00pm at Bethel Baptist Church, 183 County Road 416, Woodland, MS 39776. Services will be held on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 2:00 pm at the church. A private family inurnment will be held in the church cemetery.
The family ask that donations be made in Edwin’s memory to Bethel Baptist Church, 183 County Road 416, Woodland, MS, 39776 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Lee Memorial Funeral Home of Tupelo, MS is honored to be serving the Hancock Family.
