Glenwood Elmo Hankins, 92, of Martinsville passed away on February 7, 2015. He was born January 31, 1923 in Pittsylvania County, Va., the son of Claude Henry and Omie Austin Hankins.
Glenwood graduated from Martinsville High School in 1940. Following graduation from high school, Glenwood responded to the call of duty and enlisted in the Virginia National Guard on February 3, 1941 at the age of 18. He was assigned to Company H, 116th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division, otherwise known as the “Stonewall Brigade”. As World War II escalated, Glenwood was sent to England on September 27, 1942. He trained in England attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant in charge of two 81mm mortar squads. On the “Longest Day” of June 6, 1944, he landed in the first wave at the Dog White sector of Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. He served with distinction on D-Day and in later campaigns through St. Lo and Brittany, France and then on to Belgium for the Bulge Campaign of early 1945. During active service, Glenwood was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in Brest, France and later near Aachen, Germany. He was also the recipient of the Bronze Star and was later awarded France’s Ordre Royale de la Legion D’Honneur. Glenwood never forgot those with whom he served, nor those who were lost in the World War II campaign. He remained active in the 29th Infantry Division throughout his lifetime and served as National Commander of the 29th Infantry Division during the 2004 Normandy remembrance ceremonies.
Following his tour of duty, Glenwood returned to Martinsville where he was employed by the United States Postal Service. He married Bernice Elizabeth Reynolds of Martinsville on October 16, 1949. Glenwood and Bernice resided in Martinsville where they raised their three children. They lived a life that can be described as “marital bliss” for 65 years until his passing. All who knew them recognized the lasting love they had for each other. He lived a life based on integrity, faith and love for family and country. He was a beloved father and an avid fan of the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University sports programs.
Mr. Hankins was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, L. Bernard Hankins. He is survived by his wife Bernice of the home; daughters Susan Henderson and husband Ronnie of Martinsville; Jane Bradshaw and husband John of Reston; and a son Alan and wife Lori of Glen Allen. Additionally he is survived by a sister, Nancy Tate of Danville; and five grandchildren, Karl and Jeffrey Sharp of Martinsville; Michael Hankins, Renee Hankins and Kelsey Madsen of Glen Allen; and one great-granddaughter Natalia Sharp of Martinsville.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at McKee Funeral Home in Martinsville from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. The funeral will be held at Broad Street Christian Church on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 2 p.m. followed by burial at Oakwood Cemetery.
Glenwood graduated from Martinsville High School in 1940. Following graduation from high school, Glenwood responded to the call of duty and enlisted in the Virginia National Guard on February 3, 1941 at the age of 18. He was assigned to Company H, 116th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division, otherwise known as the “Stonewall Brigade”. As World War II escalated, Glenwood was sent to England on September 27, 1942. He trained in England attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant in charge of two 81mm mortar squads. On the “Longest Day” of June 6, 1944, he landed in the first wave at the Dog White sector of Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. He served with distinction on D-Day and in later campaigns through St. Lo and Brittany, France and then on to Belgium for the Bulge Campaign of early 1945. During active service, Glenwood was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in Brest, France and later near Aachen, Germany. He was also the recipient of the Bronze Star and was later awarded France’s Ordre Royale de la Legion D’Honneur. Glenwood never forgot those with whom he served, nor those who were lost in the World War II campaign. He remained active in the 29th Infantry Division throughout his lifetime and served as National Commander of the 29th Infantry Division during the 2004 Normandy remembrance ceremonies.
Following his tour of duty, Glenwood returned to Martinsville where he was employed by the United States Postal Service. He married Bernice Elizabeth Reynolds of Martinsville on October 16, 1949. Glenwood and Bernice resided in Martinsville where they raised their three children. They lived a life that can be described as “marital bliss” for 65 years until his passing. All who knew them recognized the lasting love they had for each other. He lived a life based on integrity, faith and love for family and country. He was a beloved father and an avid fan of the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University sports programs.
Mr. Hankins was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, L. Bernard Hankins. He is survived by his wife Bernice of the home; daughters Susan Henderson and husband Ronnie of Martinsville; Jane Bradshaw and husband John of Reston; and a son Alan and wife Lori of Glen Allen. Additionally he is survived by a sister, Nancy Tate of Danville; and five grandchildren, Karl and Jeffrey Sharp of Martinsville; Michael Hankins, Renee Hankins and Kelsey Madsen of Glen Allen; and one great-granddaughter Natalia Sharp of Martinsville.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at McKee Funeral Home in Martinsville from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. The funeral will be held at Broad Street Christian Church on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 2 p.m. followed by burial at Oakwood Cemetery.
Glenwood Elmo Hankins, 92, of Martinsville passed away on February 7, 2015. He was born January 31, 1923 in Pittsylvania County, Va., the son of Claude Henry and Omie Austin Hankins.
Glenwood graduated from Martinsville High School in 1940. Following graduation from high school, Glenwood responded to the call of duty and enlisted in the Virginia National Guard on February 3, 1941 at the age of 18. He was assigned to Company H, 116th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division, otherwise known as the “Stonewall Brigade”. As World War II escalated, Glenwood was sent to England on September 27, 1942. He trained in England attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant in charge of two 81mm mortar squads. On the “Longest Day” of June 6, 1944, he landed in the first wave at the Dog White sector of Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. He served with distinction on D-Day and in later campaigns through St. Lo and Brittany, France and then on to Belgium for the Bulge Campaign of early 1945. During active service, Glenwood was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in Brest, France and later near Aachen, Germany. He was also the recipient of the Bronze Star and was later awarded France’s Ordre Royale de la Legion D’Honneur. Glenwood never forgot those with whom he served, nor those who were lost in the World War II campaign. He remained active in the 29th Infantry Division throughout his lifetime and served as National Commander of the 29th Infantry Division during the 2004 Normandy remembrance ceremonies.
Following his tour of duty, Glenwood returned to Martinsville where he was employed by the United States Postal Service. He married Bernice Elizabeth Reynolds of Martinsville on October 16, 1949. Glenwood and Bernice resided in Martinsville where they raised their three children. They lived a life that can be described as “marital bliss” for 65 years until his passing. All who knew them recognized the lasting love they had for each other. He lived a life based on integrity, faith and love for family and country. He was a beloved father and an avid fan of the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University sports programs.
Mr. Hankins was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, L. Bernard Hankins. He is survived by his wife Bernice of the home; daughters Susan Henderson and husband Ronnie of Martinsville; Jane Bradshaw and husband John of Reston; and a son Alan and wife Lori of Glen Allen. Additionally he is survived by a sister, Nancy Tate of Danville; and five grandchildren, Karl and Jeffrey Sharp of Martinsville; Michael Hankins, Renee Hankins and Kelsey Madsen of Glen Allen; and one great-granddaughter Natalia Sharp of Martinsville.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at McKee Funeral Home in Martinsville from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. The funeral will be held at Broad Street Christian Church on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 2 p.m. followed by burial at Oakwood Cemetery.
Glenwood graduated from Martinsville High School in 1940. Following graduation from high school, Glenwood responded to the call of duty and enlisted in the Virginia National Guard on February 3, 1941 at the age of 18. He was assigned to Company H, 116th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division, otherwise known as the “Stonewall Brigade”. As World War II escalated, Glenwood was sent to England on September 27, 1942. He trained in England attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant in charge of two 81mm mortar squads. On the “Longest Day” of June 6, 1944, he landed in the first wave at the Dog White sector of Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. He served with distinction on D-Day and in later campaigns through St. Lo and Brittany, France and then on to Belgium for the Bulge Campaign of early 1945. During active service, Glenwood was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in Brest, France and later near Aachen, Germany. He was also the recipient of the Bronze Star and was later awarded France’s Ordre Royale de la Legion D’Honneur. Glenwood never forgot those with whom he served, nor those who were lost in the World War II campaign. He remained active in the 29th Infantry Division throughout his lifetime and served as National Commander of the 29th Infantry Division during the 2004 Normandy remembrance ceremonies.
Following his tour of duty, Glenwood returned to Martinsville where he was employed by the United States Postal Service. He married Bernice Elizabeth Reynolds of Martinsville on October 16, 1949. Glenwood and Bernice resided in Martinsville where they raised their three children. They lived a life that can be described as “marital bliss” for 65 years until his passing. All who knew them recognized the lasting love they had for each other. He lived a life based on integrity, faith and love for family and country. He was a beloved father and an avid fan of the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University sports programs.
Mr. Hankins was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, L. Bernard Hankins. He is survived by his wife Bernice of the home; daughters Susan Henderson and husband Ronnie of Martinsville; Jane Bradshaw and husband John of Reston; and a son Alan and wife Lori of Glen Allen. Additionally he is survived by a sister, Nancy Tate of Danville; and five grandchildren, Karl and Jeffrey Sharp of Martinsville; Michael Hankins, Renee Hankins and Kelsey Madsen of Glen Allen; and one great-granddaughter Natalia Sharp of Martinsville.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at McKee Funeral Home in Martinsville from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. The funeral will be held at Broad Street Christian Church on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 2 p.m. followed by burial at Oakwood Cemetery.
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
