Reverend Eugene Paul "Gene" Hancock, age 68, of Jackson, GA passed away Thursday, August 21, 2014 at Piedmont Henry Hospital. He was born on Wednesday, January 30, 1946 in Chapel Hill, NC to the late Paul and Eleane Andrews Hancock. He was preceded in death by his sister, Ida Della Womble.

Gene was a member of the United States Navy having served in Vietnam. He was a member of the American Legion Post 102 of Jackson. He received his Masters of Pastoral Counseling and Bachelor of Theology from Andersonville Baptist Seminary. Gene was a member of Towaliga Baptist Church where he was ordained as a minister, taught Sunday School for a number of years, and was Associate Pastor for several years. He was also an ordained Chaplain for Truckstop Ministries. He was a former school bus driver for Butts County and was affectionately known as "Mr. Preacher". Gene retired from the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in 2011. He owned and operated The Dove's Nest Coffee Connection in Jackson, was in the trucking business for 15 years, and worked part-time at Indian Springs Village for a couple of years.

Gene is survived by his wife, Lois Nagley Hancock of Jackson; children, Laura Rodgers of Tampa, FL, Jenny Hancock of Clarksburg, WV, Gena and Scott Copen of Bruceton Mills, WV, Cassondra and Greg McKoy of Newnan, GA, and Brian Gentry of Wesley Chapel, FL; sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Bill Creel of Marietta; sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, Nancy and Albert Felicio of Winchester, VA, and Richard Nagley of Alamosa, CO; grandchildren, Ashley and Jeff Waldecker, Gabriel Rodgers, Jessica Rodgers, Drew Rodgers, Trent Copen, Wyatt Copen, Shelby Gentry, Ella Gentry, Ryan Gentry, Brianna Williams, Beth McKoy, Scott McKoy, and Callie McKoy; great-grandchildren, Jeffery Waldecker and Caleb McKoy; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Gene Hancock will be held Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 5:00 P.M. at Towaliga Baptist Church with Reverend Jay Sanders and Rudy Mangham officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Friday evening. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Towaliga Baptist Church Building Fund or Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 674, Jackson, GA 30233. Those who wish may sign the online guest registry at www.sherrell-westburyfh.com.

Sherrell-Westbury Funeral Home, 212 E. College St., Jackson, is serving the Hancock family.