Melvin W. Hancock

Melvin W. Hancock, 85, of Newberry, widower of Betty Jo Wiggins Hancock, died Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at his residence.

Born on November 18, 1927, in Newberry, he was a son of the late Clarence Edward Hancock and Daisy Belle Berry Hancock Hinson. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and was the retired owner of Melvin Hancock Masonary Contractors and was a member of Queens Memorial Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed music and played with many bands over the years having played last with the Golden Steel Band. As a musician he acquired the nickname of “tearjerker”.

Mr. Hancock is survived by sons, Ezell (Frances) Hancock, Jerry Lee Hancock and Allen (Susan) Hancock all of Newberry; daughter-in-law, Stacy Hancock of Newberry; grandchildren, Richard Ezell (Michelle)Hancock, Elizabeth Gail(James)Sligh, Renee (Mark)Mills, Jason( Jennifer Shealy) Wicker, Brandon(Hayley)Hancock, Matt Hancock, Ethan Hancock and Carrie(Jonathan) Sexton; great-grandchildren, Amber (Curtis Kitchens)Hancock Christian Hancock, Beth Mills, Elizabeth Sligh, Joshua and Kendall Hancock; a great-great-grandchild, Damien Kitchens. He was predeceased by sons Jimmy Hancock and Tate Hancock; sisters, Thelma Williams and Vera Milford; and a brother,Ezell Hancock.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, May 25, 2013, at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. David Torrey. Burial will follow in Newberry Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday from 6:00 – 8:30 pm at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Queens Memorial Presbyterian Church, 46 Queens Loop Road, Newberry, SC 29108.

Active pallbearers will be Freddie Harmon, David Harmon, Russell Franklin, Larry Hazel, Stanley“Doc” Longshore and Dale Harmon.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Golden Steel Band, Ray Franklin, Slim Dunaway, Bill Walker, Zeke Kyzer, Clifford Foster and Larry Barr.

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