Fallen Hero: MAJ John Allen “Johnny” Hankins

Columbus


Funeral Home

Lowndes Funeral Home

(662)328-1808

Visitation

A visitation will be Friday, July 17, 2020, from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM at Vibrant Church, 500 Holly Hills Rd, Columbus, MS 39705.

Service

A going home celebration will follow at 11:00 AM at Vibrant Church with Bro. Ron Delgado officiating and Bro. Jason Delgado assisting. Interment will be in Vaughn Cemetery, Steens, MS with Lowndes Funeral Home directing.


Obituary

https://www.lowndesfuneralhome.net/obituary/john-hankins

Major John ”Johnny” Allen Hankins, 49, of Columbus, MS passed away Monday, July 13, 2020, at his residence.
A visitation will be Friday, July 17, 2020, from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM at Vibrant Church. A going home celebration will follow at 11:00 AM with Bro. Ron Delgado officiating and Bro. Jason Delgado assisting. Interment will be in Vaughn Cemetery Steens, MS with Lowndes Funeral Home directing.
Major Hankins was born on February 21, 1971, in Detroit, MI to Gloria Renteria and Ronald Hankins. He was a member of Vibrant Church, where he was on the Vibrant Dream Team and Kids Hope Ministries. Major Hankins restored old cars and was a big Alabama football fan. He was in the class of 1989 from Caledonia High School and then received his masters from The University of Southern Mississippi. Major Hankins was currently commander of Echo company 2nd battalion 20th special forces group in Jackson, MS. He was in the MS Army National Guard and was activated three times to Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Operation Desert Storm. Major Hankins received many medals and awards including the Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Saudi Liberation Medal, and Iraqi Campaign Medal with Campaign Star. He was also involved in the MS National Guard Youth Challenge Program. Major Hankins is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents- Juan and Jane Renteria and his paternal grandfather- Chester Hankins.
Mr. Hankins is survived by his wife of 25 years- Emily Weathers Hankins of Columbus, MS; sons- Andrew Hankins and John Dylan Hankins; brother- Ronnie (Nikki) Hankins; sister- Sarah Atkins; brother-in-laws- Stephen (Tracy) Weathers and Mark (Tasha) Smith; nieces- Amiee Hankins, Emilee Hankins, and Emma Weathers; nephews- Presley Hankins, Benjamin Atkins, and Garrett Weathers; grand-niece- Lynnleigh Kellum; father- Ronald Hankins of Columbus, MS; mother- Gloria Renteria of Maben, MS; a host of aunts and uncles; and grandmother- Edna Grace Wells.
Memorials may be made to Mississippi National Guard Youth Challenge Academy Building 80 Halloran Ave. Camp Shelby, MS 39407-5500 or to MD Anderson Cancer Center at gifts.mdanderson.org.