Raymond Lee Hansel

Raymond Lee Hansel (Ray), 92, died Thursday, December 7, 2023, at Rolling Green Village, Greenville, SC. He was born in Eckhart Mines, MD, on December 1, 1931, to William Howard and Eva Mae Watson Hansel and was the middle of eight children. When Ray was nine, his father died of black lung from working in the coal mines, so all of the children started working at a young age to help support the family. That work ethic followed him his entire life.

He gave his soul to Jesus at the age of twelve at Eckhart Baptist Church Sunday School in 1943. Several years later, during special services at EBC, he dedicated his life to preaching the gospel. He attended Bob Jones University in 1953 where he met his life’s partner, Gerry Pettus, and they were married after their graduation in 1957.

He was a graduate assistant while getting his master’s degree at BJU and then rolled to faculty, first teaching Bible and Algebra in Bob Jones Academy and then transitioning to the university level, teaching Physical Education and Church Administration classes until his retirement. He was instrumental in developing the intramural sports program at BJU, while officiating college wrestling and serving as the South Carolina upstate assigner for high school soccer on the side. He impacted hundreds of students’ lives and remembered each of their names even years later.

Along with his teaching and coaching at Bob Jones University, he couldn’t ignore his pull toward pastoring and mentoring. He spent weekends pastoring Shiloh Baptist Church, Ramseur, NC (1962 – 1969), Waynesboro Bible Church, Waynesboro, GA (1969 – 1970), Red Bluff Baptist Church, Sylvania, GA (1974 – 1988), Interim at Summit View Baptist Church, Greenville, SC (1988), and Emmanuel Baptist Church, Antreville, SC (1988 – 2012), until suffering a stroke at age 80. He loved taking students with him and mentoring young, developing preachers toward their future service. Family members enjoyed “going to Papa’s church” in Antreville—eating fifth Sunday meals together, visiting church members’ homes, and picking pecans from the grove of trees on the property. A granddaughter was married there.

When he wasn’t pastoring, he used his summers to serve in various Christian camps—including Gull Lake Bible Conference Camp, Gull Lake, MI (1962 – 1964), Camp Berean, Indianapolis, IN (1969), and Camp Joy, Whitewater, WI (1971 – 1974). He explored The Wilds Camp & Conference Center property before it was operational—and returned each year with his BJU camp administration class, hiking to Fourth Falls and picnicking by the lake.

Mission work was of high importance to him, and he served on the EMU International Mission Board from 1974 to 2013. He led the Bob Jones University mission team to Hawaii for six summers (1988 – 1993).

Ray lived a full life of service to others and his family.

He is remembered for his love of hunting and the woods, his generosity, and the twinkle in his eye. He was a fierce competitor in racquetball, badminton, and tennis, and generally went unbeaten in Skip-Bo. He enjoyed playing Make a Million with his group of friends, working on puzzles in the den, and fishing for sand sharks at Hilton Head. Summer visits to Papa’s house always included the inflatable swimming pool and trips to Bruster’s. He was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Maryland Terrapins. He enjoyed watching old westerns and reading Louis L’Amour books. In spring 2023, his grandsons planned a trip to Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons, taking him out west for the first time. Most recently, the family gathered to celebrate his 92nd birthday.

Those left to honor Ray’s memory are his daughter, Pam Shannon (Marshall), a son Lane Hansel (Karen Manley), and his son’s wife, Suzanne Harding Radin (Daniel); ten grandchildren—Brad Shannon (Stacey), Bryan Shannon (Kristen), Russell Hansel (Megan), Katie Trotter (James), Jeremiah Hansel, Rachel Radin, Emilee Hansel, Madelyn Fopma (Jeremy), Claire Hansel, and Braeden (Joanna) Hansel, as well as ten great-grandchildren—Kendal, Carson, Ryleigh, Raylee, Jackson, Sadie, Remi, Brynlee, Atticus, and Kent. He is survived by three brothers.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Geraldine Pettus Hansel, in 2020, who faithfully served by his side at all of the churches, camps, and ministries listed. They both gave us an amazing example of selfless, sacrificial service. He also lost a son, Howard Kent Hansel (1996), way too soon.

Ray gave his life to share the message of God’s saving grace to everyone he came in contact with. He had a smile for everyone until his last breath. We are grateful for the staff at Shepherd’s Care Assisted Living and Rolling Green Village who cared for him well, and we offer a special thank you to the caregivers from Via Hospice—Cara, Shawna, Alice, Jessica, and Tia—who loved him and provided a gentle journey for him. John Weathers was a dear friend who faithfully visited him weekly, and Ron Weber was an honorary son who called and sent cards almost daily to encourage him.

In lieu of flowers, we would like to suggest donations be made to Bob Jones University, (1700 Wade Hampton Boulevard, Greenville, SC 29614) or EMU International (209 Roberts Road, Taylors, SC 29687).

The family will host a visitation on Thursday, December 14, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., at Mackey Mortuary, Century Drive, Greenville, SC, and a graveside celebration on Friday, December 15, at 11:00 a.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Wade Hampton Boulevard, Greenville, SC.