Susan Kay Sanders Hanks

Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford Susan Kay Sanders Hanks passed away on December 28, 2023 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. Surrounded by her loving family, Susan valiantly fought illness until being assured by her children that she had taught them well and that they were ready to carry on her legacy of love. Earlier in life, Susan made many memories working at Kream Kup, where she met the love of her life, David. Together they beautifully raised their family, instilling in them Christian values, strong work ethic, and an unbreakable bond of family. Susan would go on to spend her lifetime taking care of her family, helping to raise her children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren, and anyone else who needed her. She was always one to give any and everything she had to help someone, whether it was a few dollars for gas, food from her freezer, Christmas presents for a child she had never met, or a pan of food for a grieving family. She also owned Susan’s Haircuts and Styles where she enjoyed making her “little old church ladies” beautiful every week. Susan loved God and cherished her relationship with Him. She sent daily screenshots of her devotional book to her children and grandchildren. She always had words of wisdom and ended many conversations with her motto, “Don’t forget to pray!” She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Abbeville, and also attended Bethel Baptist Church of Oxford. If you wanted to have fun, Susan was your go-to lady. She loved to dance and listen to music, going “juking” at the VFW with her group of lady friends, or following Jessy Higdon and Steve McGregory wherever they played. She loved planning and throwing parties, going on shopping trips, watching Christmas movies, and doing absolutely anything her grandchildren needed or wanted her to do. Susan had a fiery personality. If you wanted the truth, she’d give it. If you weren’t ENTIRELY sure you wanted the truth, you probably shouldn’t have asked her! She meant everything in love and honesty, whether it was what you wanted to hear or not. She loved to “persistently encourage” (NEVER nagging) her kids and grandkids to take their vitamins. She thought anything could be cured with an iron supplement, magnesium, Aspirin and prayer. She knew a little bit about everything; if you didn’t believe it, just ask her! Susan was many things to many people. If you needed a cheerleader, a helping hand, or a listening ear, you could go no further than Susan. Susan is survived by her son Ken Hanks, and his wife Leah; her daughter, Elisabeth Mills and, Gerald Bishop; her son, Tyler Hanks; her granddaughter and daily caregiver, Addison Mills; her grandsons, Alex and Noah Hanks; her sisters, Joy Beard and her husband Ronald, and Jill Carwyle and her husband David Carwyle; and her in-laws, a few out-laws, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Hanks; her parents, Bennie and Nell Sanders; her brothers, Danny Joiner and Tommie Joiner; and a sister Nancy Bowles. We would also like to acknowledge her precious nurses who are now family to us. Claire, Erin, Emily, Robyn, and Brenda of the 5th floor step-down unit at Baptist have a special place in our hearts for the kindness, compassion, and patience until the end. A graveside service will be held Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 11:00 am at Abbeville Cemetery (CR 201, Abbeville, MS 38601). Her son, Ken, will have the honor of officiating. Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford is in charge of the arrangements. Donations and memorials in honor of Mrs. Susan Kay Sanders Hanks may be made to the First Baptist Church of Abbeville Playground Fund (P.O. Box 80, Abbeville, MS 38601). Online condolences may be left on her Tribute Wall at www.colemanfuneralhome.com.

Susan Kay Sanders Hanks

January 5, 1958 - December 28, 2023

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