Emily Joanna Meeks Hancock

Mrs. Emily Joanna Meeks Hancock, age 88, of Douglas, Georgia, formerly of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away peacefully early Monday Morning at her residence following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Hancock was born and raised in Coffee County. The daughter of the late William K. Meeks and the late Ella Lee Moore Meeks, she was born June 19, 1936 in Douglas, Georgia. She enjoyed going to Douglas High School where she was a cheerleader and she graduated in the Class of 1954. Mrs. Hancock went on to attend South Georgia College where she had a class under Coach Bobby Bowden during his time in Douglas, and graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Office Administration. She later retired as an Executive Secretary. In 1956 she married her true love, the late Richard B. Hancock. They were married for 66 wonderful years prior to his passing in 2022. Together they raised 4 children, who gave them 7 grandsons, 3 great granddaughters, and 2 great grandsons. Mrs. Hancock was an artist at heart and spent many hours refining her arts. Her passion for art showed through her paintings as well as her photography. She enjoyed taking photographs of the inspiration for the paintings she created. Mrs. Hancock was the treasurer and on the Board of Directors of the Wildlife Artists of the Carolinas, Inc. She had a working art studio at the ArtWorks/Wilmington and part owner of Art on the Wildside Gallery. She was a member of the Wilmington art association as well as a past member of the Associated Artist of Southport and a member of the Oak Island Art Guild. Through the years Mrs. Hancock received many awards for her artworks. She will long be remembered by those she loved through the artworks she left behind. Mrs. Hancock is survived by her children and their spouses: Mary Ann Hancock Griffin and Thomas C. Griffin of Douglas, Georgia; Deborah Lynn Hancock Dunbar and David Dunbar of Burgaw, North Carolina; Cheryl Lee Hancock and Patrick Metze of Douglas, Georgia; and Richard K. Hancock of Wilmington, North Carolina. She is also survived by 7 grandsons: William E. Custer, IV, John Richard Lott, Phillip Paul Dunbar, David Richard Dunbar, William Marcus Dunbar, Joseph James Henegar and Samuel Keith Henegar; 5 great grandchildren: Mary Joanna Dunbar, David Rylee Dunbar, Annsleigh Lott, Kaitlyn Lott, Lincoln Cole Henegar, first cousins: Garry Moore, Roy Moore, Marion Moore, Randy Moore; special lifelong friends Ann Bittaker Carver and Glenn Davis. Many extended family members and friends also survive. Along with her husband and her parents, Mrs. Hancock is preceded in death by a baby brother. A graveside funeral service honoring Mrs. Hancock will be held on Friday, July 5, 2024 at 10:00 AM at the Douglas, City Cemetery with Rev. Donald Fender officiating. Pallbearers will include her 7 grandsons: William E. Custer, IV, John Richard Lott, Phillip Paul Dunbar, William Marcus Dunbar, David Richard Dunbar, Joseph James Henegar and Samuel Keith Henegar. Message from her children: Scientists discovered that even long after birth a baby’s DNA remains in the mother’s body. Mom has always had us imprinted in her heart. She was always there if we called and she was always worried about our health and safety. Maybe now she’s no longer worried. Rest well Mom, we love you!

Emily Joanna Meeks Hancock

June 19, 1936 - July 1, 2024