
Obituary of Beverly Jean Hanks
Beverly Jean Henson Hanks was born in Canyon, TX on February 24, 1940, to Virgil and Ruth (Wiggs) Henson. She passed away on February 3, 2025, at the age of 84. Beverly attended West Texas Demonstration School for many years and in addition to learning the basic subjects, she mastered sewing and cooking skills. She graduated from Canyon High School in 1958. Staying in Canyon for college, she graduated from West Texas College in 1961 with a BA in English. She met her husband, Alan Ray Hanks, in first grade. They got married on January 19, 1961. She later returned to college at Purdue University earning an additional degree in Art History in 1992.
She enjoyed being involved in many activities such as Garden Club, Discovery (an outreach to international students’ wives), and Book Club in addition to teaching Sunday School at FBC College Station. She loved being in nature, especially the mountains of Northern New Mexico.
Beverly and Alan lived through times of plenty and times that were lean, from times when a bowl of popcorn was what there was for dinner to international travel. Mom sewed almost all our clothes growing up and dad grew all the vegetables in his amazing garden behind the neighbor’s house. Mom canned, cooked or froze them all. They had 3 children before Dad finished his PHD and got his first professional job. They have lived in 6 different places (5 states) and numerous different homes from student housing to a home they built. They have traveled to most of the continents. Despite challenges and changes, they have walked this road of life together for 64 years. Theirs is an example of enduring love and faithfulness.
Beverly is survived by her husband, Alan Ray Hanks; her sister, Marion Marrs, and her husband, Jimmy; son, James Craig Hanks, and his wife, Emily Kay; daughter, Sheryl Denise Hawkins; daughter, Leta Elise Cruse and her husband, Greg; grandchildren: Joseph Kuciemba; Jonathan Kuciemba and wife, Kat, James Kuciemba, and wife Cat; Will Hawkins; Matt Cruse, and wife, Olivia; Sarah Clark, and husband, Ian; Bethany Stewart, and husband, Josh; as well as 9 great-grandchildren and other extended family.
A private service will be held by the immediate family later in the week.