Alma Elizabeth Hancock

Visitation will be held at Valhalla Funeral Home in Huntsville, Alabama,on Friday, April 14, 2017, between 1:00 and 3:00 pm, with the funeral immediately following.

Funeral services will be officiated by the Reverends Krel Buckelew, Pastor of the Limrock United Methodist Church, and Charles McCay, retired. Interment will follow in the Chapel of Love at the Valhalla Cemetery, adjoining the funeral home.

Alma (or Liz), was born in Jackson County, Alabama, to Harvey and Leona Gentle on August 3, 1929. She was raised in a Christian home, dedicating her life to Christ at an early age, and was a woman of immense faith her entire life. She met her one and only love, William (Bill) Bridges Hancock and married him three months later on March 14, 1948. Bill drove a “rolling store” throughout Jackson County, and his route up through Gentle’s Cove resulted in that chance meeting that was life-changing for them both. A year later, their first child was born, and three more came in succession. Bill’s pursuit of a military career resulted in a life of travel and adventure. In addition to duty stations in the U.S., the family traveled overseas on three separate occasions, living in both France and Germany. One result of the extensive travel was that some of the children attended more than a dozen different schools.

A dedicated Christian wife and mother, Liz made sure she and her children attended Sunday school and church wherever their travels took them, quite a feat since Liz did not drive until after her children were grown. Liz was a social person, easily making friends and striking up conversations. She had great faith in her “Jesus” and Lord, invoking Him daily in her life and sharing Him with others.

Liz was an avid reader, mostly, as the family remembers, westerns and mystery novels. Wherever her travels took her, she would visit the local library time and again. She loved gardening, especially flowers, and singing hymns, both in church and at home. While most significantly a homemaker, Liz worked a short time early-on in a rug mill and after Bill retired, as an Avon representative where they worked the route together.

Liz is preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Bill; parents, Harvey and Leona Gentle; two brothers, Alvie Gentle and Melvin Gentle; two sisters, Audrey (James) Tidwell and Fannie (David) Frazier; and one granddaughter, Jenny Garrett. She is survived by her sister Marie (Robert) Powell and brother Paul (Mandy) Gentle, both of Jackson County; four children, Joan Garrett, Doris Bellman, Stephen (Melissa) Hancock and Joseph Hancock; three granddaughters, Leah (Pat) Brislin, Stephenie Hancock, and Desiree’ Bellman; and great grandchildren, Autumn (Elias) Reyes, Hannah Brislin, Samuel Brislin, Ezra Brislin and Rebekah Brislin.

The family would like to thank everyone who may have been touched by Liz’s life for their kind words, thoughts and prayers in the coming days and weeks, as well as for any flowers or gifts donated to their favorite charity in her name. Donations also may be made to the Limrock United Methodist Church in Jackson County, Alabama. The family also would like to extend gratitude to the Camellia Hospice organization for their support over the last several months.