Reverend Dr. Lanksford Eli Hankins, Sr., aka Bunk, departed this life peacefully on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. He was born on September 14, 1935. A Halifax County, VA native, Dr. Hankins, Sr. graduated from Halifax County Public Schools. He attended Virginia Seminary and College where he received a Bachelor of Art and a Master of Divinity, he also received an M. Ed from Virginia University in Administration and Supervision and a Doctoral Diploma from UVA. He then went on to complete post-graduate work at Radford University, Longwood College, and Lynchburg College, where he was a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.

Dr. Lanksford Eli Hankins, Sr. worked in the public school system for 23 years as a teacher and administrator. He started the Lanksford E. Hankins Real Estate, Inc. where he retired as a principal broker. Reverend Dr. Hankins retired as President of the Eastern Theological Seminary. He also served as Pastor of the following churches: New Mount Baptist Church in Arrington, VA, Saint Mark Baptist Church in Amherst, VA, New Witt Baptist Church in Farmville, VA, Brookville Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA, Antioch Baptist Church in Peaksville, VA, and lastly Pilot Mountain Baptist Church in Concord, VA, where he retired after serving for 38 years. He then became a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church.

Dr. Hankins received many awards throughout his life including The Black History Award-Outstanding Community Leadership from First Baptist Church South Lynchburg, Certificate of Achievement from the Mary Bethune Alumnae Association, and Outstanding and Dedicated Services 1987 from the National Alumnae Association at Virginia Seminary and College. He also received Proclamations from the City of Lynchburg and Washington D.C. Reverend Doctor Hankins, Sr. had a passion for preaching which you would call his gift, golfing, and fishing. He could always make a person smile with his humorous personality which could light up any room.

Reverend Dr. Lanksford Eli Hankins, Sr. was preceded in death by his father, Harry Dale Hankins, Sr.; mother, Minnie Leola Lee Dodson Hankins; sister, Thursia Hankins; brothers, Otis B. Hankins, Jefferson Hankins, and Harry Lee Hankins; sisters, Lilly Dale Hankins, and Bonnie Hankins.

Also preceding him in death was his wife, Dr. Annie B. Hankins, whom he was married to for 60 years, the love of his life.

Left to treasure and cherish his precious memories are two children, Deborah H. Starkey and Lanksford E. Hankins, Jr. (Sherry); two grandchildren, Christian (Christy) Anne Starkey and Eli Jamanuel Hankins; two sisters, the baby of the family, Jeneatte (Delores), aka Delo, Hankins, and Virginia Hankins; 12 nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A homegoing celebration will be held for Dr. Hankins at 11:00 AM Friday, March 31, 2023, at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. Interment will be in the Dinwiddie Memorial Park, 7324 Church Road, Petersburg, VA 23803. Service of comfort rendered by Davis-Turner Funeral Service.