James J. ‘Jim’ Hancock

Published 10:38 am Friday, June 20, 2014

Funeral Services for James J. “Jim” Hancock of Summit are 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2014, at Centenary United Methodist Church with burial in Adams Cemetery, Auburn. Catchings Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is Friday, June 20, 2014, from 5 until 8 p.m. at Catchings Funeral Home, turn right on Old Brookhaven Rd, Exit 20B in Summit and visitation continues on Saturday at Centenary United Methodist Church from 10 a.m. until time of service.

Mr. Hancock, 80, died June 18, 2014, in Summit due to an ATV accident. He was born on Sept. 5, 1933, in Lincoln County to Julius and Melba Lee Nettles Hancock.

He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church. By profession, Jim was a teacher of science and mathematics and a coach who taught high school for 14 years. He also served with the Mississippi Department of Education for 27 years in various capacities culminating into Director of Teacher Certification.

Jim devoted his life to helping other people and was a very intentional man that loved his family, church, community and nation. In addition to all of the above, he served in various roles such as youth director, Sunday school teacher, church leader, assistant scoutmaster, civic clubs leader and member of the Southwest MS Forestry Association.

Jim had a love for the outdoors, which was apparent in his role as an avid forest steward and tree farmer, gardener, white perch fishing guru and deer hunter.

Jim’s true love was his wife, Missy and the relationship God blessed them with. He was a graduate of Mars Hill School, Southwest Mississippi Junior College, University of Southern Mississippi and he received his graduate degree from Oklahoma State University and Louisiana State University.

Preceding him in death were his parents; daughter, Lawanda Susan Hancock; brother, Carl Hancock; and sister-in-law, Treva McCartney Hancock.

Survivors are his wife of 59 years, Maeford “Missy” Wallace Hancock of Summit; sons, James David Hancock and wife, Nancy Daws Hancock of DeKalb and Joseph Dale Hancock and wife, Rita Easom Hancock of Madison; brothers and sister-in-law, Thomas and JoNita Hancock of Franklin County and Alex Ray Hancock of Zachary, Louisisana and Lewis Martin Wallace of Brookhaven; sisters-in-law, Sarah Terry Hancock of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Eula Fay Hancock and true friend, Donny Dykes of Bogue Chitto and Yvonne Leggett Wallace of Brookhaven; three grandchildren, Joshua Dale Hancock of Madison, Carrie Leigh Hancock of Madison, Emily Paige Hancock and her mother, Carol, of Brandon; two step-granddaughters, Heather Moseley and husband, Will, of Meridian and Morgan Sorrels and husband, Chip of DeKalb, two step-great-grandchildren, Charlton Daws and Brooklyn Elaine Sorrels of DeKalb; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins including R.E. Nettles and wife, Jerry, of Brookhaven; and special sister/niece, Sally Winborne Porter of McComb.

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