Edward Charles Hanks

Edward Charles Hanks was born October 30, 1950 to Isaiah Hanks II and Minnie Rogers in West Helena, Arkansas. He departed this life on Friday, June 30, 2011. He grew up in a home filled with love and happiness with his four brothers: Isaiah, George, Herbert and Darrell, and sisters Gwendolyn and Vivian. After completing his elementary education at West Side, he attended Eliza Miller High School. He excelled in his school work while becoming an avid basketball player. He was among 16 students at this school who were selected to become the first African American students to attend Central High School located on the border of West Helena and Helena, Arkansas. A graduate of Central High School in Helena, Arkansas, Coach was an Honorable Mention High School All-American at the Guard position. In 1968, he entered Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and played on a team that made the quarter finals of the NAIA National Basketball Tournament. From 1968-1973, Coach Hanks served in the United States Navy aboard the U. S. S. Midway. He was a member of the All Navy team two of those four years. After leaving the Navy, Coach Hanks entered the College of Alameda where he was a member of the basketball and tennis teams. Upon completing his degree at the College of Alameda, he entered California State University, Hayward, California where he received the Bachelor of Science Degree in 1977. He continued his study at Holy Names University to become certified for teaching in the area of Special Education. When Charles was not working, he relaxed at home by watching the cooking channels, working cross word puzzles, solving Sudoku math puzzles and listening to music. The activity Charles enjoyed the most was cooking for family and friends. Coach Hanks will be missed by his family, his friends from coast to coast, his students and his community here in Georgetown, Texas. Charles is survived by son Stephen, his wife, Norma Belle; his sister, Gwendolyn; his brother, Darrell and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A service celebrating Coach Hanks’ life will be held on Friday, July 8, 2011 at 11:00AM at Wellspring United Methodist Church, 6200 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas. Personal words of comfort may be sent to the family online at www.gabrielsfuneral.com