Joseph Benjamin Hankins, 66, of 313 Daniel Atkins Street, went to meet the Lord on Wednesday morning, November 16, 2011 at his home. Joe Ben fought a hard battle with Alzheimer's for four years. A funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, November 19, at Central Christian Church. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. A Rockingham County native, Mr. Hankins was born September 29, 1945, son of the late Raymond E. Hankins and Elizabeth Wade Hankins. He was a member of Central Christian Church for 45 years. In those years he had served as Elder, Deacon, Superintendant and Chairman of the Board. He loved God and his church family. Joe Ben was owner of Hankins Properties for 25 years, and a licensed Real Estate Broker. He worked for 15 years for Karastan Rug Mill but left to work for Miller Brewing Company as a machinist in 1976. He retired after 30 years. He was a very gifted person. His sons often said, "there was nothing Dad couldn't fix if he wanted to". He loved his family and enjoyed the family trips to their little house they worked on as a family at Oak Island. Joe Ben was married to his best friend, Jane Hall Hankins, for 46 years. They worked together on houses, buying and selling until he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2007. He leaves behind to remember his sweet smile, gentle heart and his love, his wife and buddy, Jane of the home; two sons, Joseph B Hankins, II (Benji) and wife, Martha and Chad C. Hankins and wife, Connie, both of Eden; and three grandchildren, Heather of South Boston and Justin and Joseph of Eden. Also left to miss his love and his walks is his companion and friend, his yellow Lab, Sham. He was preceded in death by his only brother, Raymond E. "Buddy" Hankins. The family wishes to thank, first, Dr. David Tapper and his staff for all their help, concern and patience while Joe Ben battled this terrible disease. Also Hospice was a God-send and they can't thank them enough for all the help they gave to make sure he was taken care of. And a special thanks to friend, Ebonee Price of Bayada Nursing. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, 7 - 9 PM at Fair Funeral Home and other times at the residence. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com
Jane, Chad and family, I'm so sorry for your loss. Joe Ben was a good man and he will be missed by many. I will keep you and your entire family in my prayers at this difficult time. -Timmy
Tim Bailey
Mema, You know we will miss JoeBen terrible and I know you certainly will. We will see him again and those beautiful blue eyes. We love you very much and are here for anything you need. God will wrap his arms around you and take care of you.
Betsy
Jane, I'm sorry for your loss. I know you will have many memories and that is what will keep you going. I lost my husband 9 months ago and he was my soulmate. Just know you will see him again some day.
Carolyn Denny Dalton
Benji and Chad and all the rest of the family I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I too have lost my Daddy and it's just devastating but God saw an angel getting tired and he took him home just as he has taken yours. He is now in Heaven watching over you. My love and prayers are with you.
Susan Turner
Joe was such a good person.He allways had a smile on his face when you passed him at work.I am sure he will be one that is truley missed.Rest in peace Joe,you left some good memeories.We have lost some very good co-workers from Miller.
Ann O'Mara
Aunt Jane, Greg and I are holding you in our prayers. Praying that God will give you comfort and peace until we see Uncle Joe Ben again! I love you! ~Tammy
Tammy Hand
I have known Joe Ben for years but have not seen him for many. We were all part of the church family and his boys and I were always good friends. He was a wonderful person and I know he will be greatly missed. There is great peace knowing he has gone HOME!
Jeff Hale
My sincere condolence to the family of Joe Ben ! May God be with you and ease the pain of your loss. Joe Ben is in the arm's of Jesus Christ now, and all the saints are rejoicing.
Maurice Pruitt
So sorry to hear about Joe Ben. Our prayers are with his family.
Linda Long & Charles Thomasson
To the family of Little Joe, He was a great friend and co-worker that would do anything to help you. We was a great asset to the workers when it came to representing us on all the contracts that he worked on. He will be truly missed by a lot of people that knew him. I worked side by side with Joe and he taught me a lot in my first years of working at Miller. He was as straight forward a person as you would ever meet. His son's are right he could fix anything, he was a perfectionist. A dear friend and a great person will truly be missed. Thank goodness we know Little Joe has gone to heaven to be with his Lord and Savior. If I can help you in the future please let us know. A Friend, Larry Strader
strader_l@bellsouth.net
Jane, Benji, Chad, & families, I am so sorry to read of your loss. I know what you all must have been through, as my Daddy also had this terrible disease. I have many good memorys of Daniel Adkins St., and your family was certainly a huge part of those. Take care, Love & Prayers, Merrilee Massey
Merrilee Massey
I am so sorry to hear of your great loss. May God be ever near to all of you during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Love and prayers~
Tammy Cheek Jeffries
Please accept my deepest sympathy. Joe Ben was a great guy and a pleasure to work with.
Kay Gammon
Jane,I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Betsy had told me how sick he was. I do know what you are going through. My prayers are with you.
Meryle shropshire
My deepest sympathy for your loss. I remember bringing my son Sean and daughter to swim in your pool. Joe Ben was always so gracious
Georgia Matthews (McBride)
Martha & Connie I am sorry to hear about the death of your father-in-law. It is not easy to give up someone you love. The only thing we can do is cherish the memories of the good time we have had with our loved one's. I will keep both of you and your families in my thoughts and prayers.
James Rorrer
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Brenda Saunders
Hold tight to memories for comfort, lean on your friends for strength, and always remember how much you are cared about.
Gene & Mae Brown
So sorry for your loss.
Stacy Minichello
Aunt Jane, my love, thoughts, and prayers are with you now and always. I love you!
Brenda Hall Haynes
I offer my deepest sympathy to the family, I worked at miller his 30 years and he was a great person...yal have every right to be proud. God Bless!!
Tamara Norton
Dear Hankins family, I am sorry for your loss. I worked with Joe for a number of years at Miller. I was one of Joe's supervisers. I liked to think that Joe and I got along well. I know he helped me many times. Wish I lived closer so I could attend the services. Jim Reising
Jim Reising
I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless.Larry & Frances Stanfield
Larry Stanfield
I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember coming to your house with my Dad so they (Jo Ben and Don) could mess with something in the garage or somewhere. He will be greatly missed.
Shannon McBride
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