Daniel Burton Hankins Jr.

Nicknamed “Pete” by his brothers at an early age, Daniel Burton Hankins, Jr. was born in 1935 to a sharecropper family in Delta City, Mississippi. With the encouragement and assistance of family, he graduated from Tulane University and became an engineer responsible for nuclear powered submarines at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi during the Cold War. Later he owned and operated a successful sporting goods store (Daniel’s Den) and screen-printing business in Moss Point, MS before retiring to hunt whitetail deer and spend time with family. He moved to Montgomery in 2015 to be closer to family.

Mr. Hankins is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Ella Ann Ragas Hankins and five children, Wanda Faye Wages (Steve), Richard Burton Hankins (Lisa), Kelli Jo Gilliam (James aka Don), Lesli Marilynne Shoemaker (Lance aka Top), and Daniel Todd Hankins (Beth). He was adored by thirteen grandchildren - Alan Wages, Amy Wages, Camille Hankins, Devin Gilliam, Griffin Shoemaker, Will Hankins, Jackson Hankins, Savannah Shoemaker, Marina Shoemaker, Cruz Shoemaker, Kate Hankins, Julia Hankins, and Ruby Hankins - and four great grandchildren- Kaleb Wages, Paizlee Wages, Anna Wages, and Asher Mendez.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Daniel B. and Mary Cagle Hankins and seven siblings - William Erman Hankins, James Carol Hankins, Mitchell Hankins, Liz Hankins King, Moreen Hankins Whitworth, James “Buddy” Hankins, and George Hankins.

Mr. Hankins attended services of the Church of Christ since childhood and was baptized into the faith during his college years. He was a long time elder and teacher at the Central Church of Christ in Pascagoula, Mississippi and later a faithful member of Gautier (MS) Church of Christ and finally Eastern Meadows Church of Christ in Montgomery.

He drew his final breath while in prayer with his Heavenly Father and surrounded by his children.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 1, 2026 from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home 10505 Atlanta Highway Montgomery, AL. Funeral Services with Brother Ron Webb officiating will begin at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (stjude.org) or Eastern Meadows Church of Christ/Pete Hankins Benevolence Fund (8464 Vaughn Rd, Montgomery, AL 36117)