“Sonny” Luther Erron Hankins, Jr., 88, was born on May 10, 1934, to Luther Hankins Sr. and Lyda Novella (Ladyman) Hankins, in Durant, Okla. Sonny departed life peacefully with his loving family by his side on May 5, 2023.
Sonny attended Loan Oak School in Bryan County in his younger years and was proud to have served in The United States Marine Corps. He then went on to become a successful Master Electrician. Besides tinkering on his many projects, Sonny enjoyed fishing, golfing, building, going to the library to expand his knowledge, and researching his family history on Ancestry.com.
Sonny was married to his first wife and mother of his children, Flora Mae (Winship) Hankins on July 5, 1952. Flora passed on February 27, 1991, coming up on their 39th year of marriage. After tragically being widowed, Sonny was blessed with love again. On May 2, 1996, he married Poppy (Parker) Hankins in Arkansas.
Sonny is preceded in death by his parents, Luther Sr. and Lyda (Ladyman); the mother of his children, Flora Mae (Winship) Hankins; his sons, Neil Hankins, Alan Hankins, and Rick Hankins; brothers, JW Holt, Lloyd Holt, Billie Hankins, and Gene Hankins; sisters, Louise Holt, “Nita” Malamma Hankins, Dorris Hankins, and Lucille (Billie) Pullen; and grandson, David Hankins.
Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Poppy Hankins of the home; his two surviving sisters, Carol Jo Cornelle and “Dot” Dortha Holbrook; his daughter, Tina Small, and husband John, of Durant; son, Luther “George” Erron Hankins III, and wife Helen, of Durant, Okla.; grandchildren: John Bret Small, Marisa Small and husband, Chris Robertson, Justin Hankins and wife, Kristi Rhodes, Christina Payne, John Burk (Maria), Jason Burk (Kimberly), Gregory Hankins and wife, Brandy, Mark Hankins, Richelle Garcia and husband, Juan, Richard Hankins Jr., Luther Hankins IV, Joseph Hankins and wife, Amber Georgie Hankins and wife, Adrianna, Hailey Hankins, Nicholas Hankins, James Donald Hankins, Randy Hankins and wife, Johanna, Kelly (Hankins) Shepard and husband, Richard, Tiffany Cates, and husband, Keith Cates, David Armstrong (Amber); great-grandchildren: Mia, Maddox, Trevor, Bubba, Alyssa, Alivia, Layla, Veronica, David, Breanna, Kaitlan, Alanna, Brendon, Erin, Sreyreth, Tenisha, Corey, Alecia, Leland, Morgan, Little Luther, Logan, Georgia, Marley, Joseph, Amaya, Little Joe, Kelsi, Haden; and Great Great Grandchildren Paisley, Kyler, Blakley, Brinlee, Kaiser, Jordyn “JoJo”, Haden, Zac, and Luka.
Sonny will especially be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and ability to see the brighter side in life. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.
Funeral Services with military honors are set for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at Browns Funeral Service Chapel. Officiating is Bishop Cody Whitlock and Brother Greg Hatch, and serving as pallbearers are Justin Hankins, Luther Hankins, Joseph Hankins, George Hankins, Chris Robertson, Maddox Robertson or Jimmy Hankins.
Funeral services are directed by Brown’s Funeral Service of Durant.