Blackie was a native of Lake Charles but a resident of Welsh for many years. He was an active member of Our Lady Seven Dolors Catholic Church. An avid outdoorsmen, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and also liked arts and crafts. Blackie was a jack of all trades and could fix anything. Anyone that knew him would know that he never met a stranger and that the most important people in his life that he loved dearly were his family, especially his wife and grandchildren.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 46 years, Sheila Ann Hanks of Welsh; one daughter, Michelle (Steven) Bradley; an adopted daughter, Beneva Landry; two sons, Michael (Ashley) Hanks, and Mark (Kelly) Hanks all of Welsh; seven grandchildren, Brooke (Todd) Johnson, Hunter and Emily Bradley (Steven Leger), Calyn Daigle, Carley Hanks, Kaylee Guillory (Keegan Labouve), and Grace Leger (Jordan Pelsia); two great grandchildren, Sawyer and Frances Johnson and one on the way; four sisters, Patricia (Dudley) Lacoste, Carolyn (Steven) Benoit, Linda (Gregg) Holland, and Paula (Tim) Lejeune; one brother, Robert (Mary) Hanks; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Forrester Hanks and Lucille Landry Hanks.
Pallbearers will be Steven and Hunter Bradley, Todd and Sawyer Johnson, Frank Lacoste, Michael Kuchn, and Tommy Lacoste.
Visitation will be held Monday, August 17, 2020 at Hixson Funeral Home of Welsh beginning at 11:00 am until 9:00 pm with a rosary being prayed at 6:00 pm and will reopen on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 8:00 am until the time of services. Due to church restrictions, the family ask that only immediate family attend the funeral mass at the church. Interment will be open to the public at Oaklawn Cemetery at approximately 12:00pm. The Rev. Pradeep Gali will Officiate at the services.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com for the Hanks family.
