James Leonard Hancock

"Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation." Psalms 62:1. James Leonard Hancock passed away peacefully in his sleep Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010, at the Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jackson. He was born Aug. 25, 1921, in Taylorsville, Miss., to Lawrence and Bessie Hancock. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Lillie Mae Bennett Hancock; his son, J. Dennis Hancock and his wife, Karen, of Roanoke, Va.; his daughter, Sharon L. Wright and her husband, Richard, of Baton Rouge; his grandchildren, Stephanie Hancock McCollister Kelleher and her husband, Adrian, Christopher Hancock, Karen Hancock Bush and her husband, Doug, and John Christian Wright; his great-grandchildren, Madeline and Jason McCollister, Corey and Cooper Bush, and Emily and Michael Kelleher. He was the oldest of seven children and has two surviving brothers, Ray Hancock and Horace Hancock. For most of his 88 years, he worked as an accountant and was an auditor for Dalton's Department Store and D.H. Holmes Co. After leaving D.H. Holmes, he was self-employed as an accountant until his retirement at 70 years of age. He was meticulous in his work and was known as a man of integrity. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge for more than 60 years. He was a proud veteran of World War II. He served in the Army during the war, stationed primarily in Europe. He loved music, especially Gospel music. Pallbearers will be Christopher Hancock, Christian Wright, Adrian Kelleher, Doug Bush and Doug Hancock. The family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. We are also grateful to the staff at the Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jackson for their care and kindness. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Thursday, Feb. 25, from noon until the funeral service at 2 p.m. Interment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Highway.