Obituaries

Bob Hankins

Photo of Bob Hankins
Bob Hankins, age 84 of Harrison, passed away Sunday, November 30, 2014 at Highlands of Harrison at Orendorf. He was born November 30, 1930 in Cliffy, Arkansas to William Howard and Freda Stafford Hankins. Mr. Hankins received his Associates Degree in Agriculture from Arkansas Polytechnic in Russellville and then served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict. He returned home to earn is Bachelors Degree in Agriculture from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He worked 37 years for Farmers Home Administration working in several capacities including County Supervisor and retired as State Director. During his service to as State Director, Bob received a number of awards and special recognitions for his leadership and achievement abilities. The list includes: USDA's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award for Leadership in Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights Programs to Rural Areas, Outstanding Leadership in Agriculture, and for Outstanding Leadership in Rural Development. He was the first State Director to receive the National Office, Civil Rights Staff, State Director's Civil Rights Award. Bob raised cattle all his life and enjoyed hunting and fishing; coon hunting in his younger days and bird hunting in his senior years. Bob is survived by his wife B.J. Hankins, son and daughter-in-law: Douglas W. Hankins and Kelli of Western Grove, Arkansas; daughter and son-in-law: Ann Marie Hankins-Kline and Nathan of Little Rock, Arkansas; granddaughters Olivia and Ava and step-grandchildren: Mary, C.J. and James. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Eugenia Hankins. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home with Dr. David Artman and Jerry Honey officiating. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Maplewood Cemetery. Pallbearers: Roy Smith, Jerry Cude, Jackie Scott, Jesse Sharp, Dotson Collins, and Fred Woehl. Honorary Pallbearers: John Paul Hammerschmidt, Phil Meadows, Arl Jones, Cherry Louise Smith, Randy and Virginia Laverty, all past and present FmHA / Rural Development employees. Arrangements are by Roller-Christeson Funeral Home. Visit our online guestbook at www.rollerfunalhomes.com.

Published December 2, 2014

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