Raymond Hanks

Raymond N. Hanks, 90, of McRae, Arkansas, died January 2, 2013. He was born March 15, 1922 to Nick M. and Ethel (Almon) Hanks. He was delivered by Dr. Will Bailey at home. The family had no electricity or running water and had a hand dug well and outside toilet. His first six years of school were in White Plains, Kentucky. The school had a pot belly stove in the center of each room and an outside toilet, then the 7th and 8th grade went to a one room school. The teacher taught all eight grades. At recess and noon the teacher would draw a bucket of water and the students would line up with their cups to get a drink. A WWII Veteran, Raymond was a recipient of the Purple Heart. He loved gardening, attending VA meetings in Searcy and church every Sunday.
He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-six years, LaVerne Hanks, his parents, sister, Betty Hanks, and brother-in-law Ralph Wyatt.
He is survived by his brother, Windell Hanks of Indiana; sister-in-law Diane Wyatt of South Bend, Indiana; nephew, Thomas Wyatt; niece, Janet Wyatt; great-nieces Crystal and Brittany Wyatt; and several friends.
Family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe.
Funeral will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 5, 2013, at Westbrook Funeral Home,
with burial in Johnson Chapel Cemetery.