Obituary for Kathleen Hancock

Graduation Photo - 1977

Celebration of Life

Kathleen Hancock

August 4, 1957 - November 24, 2015

On November 24, 2015, Kathleen Hancock transitioned from this world into the Heavenly Realm. She was welcomed into her eternal home by her mother, Marida Estelle Hancock, her father, Willie Raymond Hancock and her brother, Larry Hancock. She is survived in this world by her sister, Willie Jean Hancock and her brother, Wayne Hancock. She was more like a sister to her nieces Kerri Smith, Kim Schulz and Cynthia Morse and her nephews William Grimes, Kevin Hancock and Michael Sandoval. She also enjoyed her great-nephews Drew Smith, Michael Barnes, Matthew Barnes, Morgan Sandoval, CJ Grimes, Miranda Sandoval and Sam Grimes. She was fortunate to have known her great, great-niece and nephews Shaylyn Barnes, Jackson Smith and Julianne Smith.

2013

Kathy, as she was known, was born on August 4, 1957 in Panama City, Florida. She was the youngest of four children. In fact, she was the late-in-life baby that enjoyed the attention of her much older siblings. She was a curious, happy child that loved animals especially her dogs and cats. No stray ever went hungry.

She graduated from Rutherford High School in 1977 and was married briefly following graduation. Kathy loved police and security work. She was employed at the Panama City Airport for more than 20 years. During her tenure, she was a well-known and well-liked member of the security team.

Celebrities that frequented the airport knew her by name and she welcomed them with a hug. People like Willie Nelson, Burt Reynolds, Rick Flair and many more knew her by name. She also caught the eye of the son of King Al Khalifa of Bahrain. They dated for a period of time but she would not leave her country for him.

She made friends easily and offered a friendly smile to all. She enjoyed traveling and was fortunate to travel to several exciting destinations. She cherished the road trip she took from Panama City to Jasper, Alberta, Canada with the love of her life Dustin Basham and her visit to Alaska. Most of her favorite travels actually took place in her red 1978 Chevy Camaro that always garnered attention – a beautiful blonde that knew how to drive a performance car.

She studied Kempo Jiu Jitsu, was a Certified Nursing Assistant, managed several retail stores and worked in food service over the years. She loved cooking gourmet dishes and decant desserts, all genres of music, movies, classic TV shows and was a whiz at trivia.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Thursday, December 3, 2015 at Carolina Olive Oil at 5:30 p.m. at 104 S. Main Street #2, Simpsonville, SC 29681. She will be interned in Greenwood Cemetery in Panama City, Florida in December 2015. In lieu of flowers, make donations to your local animal shelter, animal rescue or donate dog and cat food to Meals on Wheels.