David Paul Hancock

Gordon Payne and Helen Dowdy Hancock had four sons Gordon, David, Charles and Preston. David spent much of his childhood in Lynchburg Virginia and moved to Salem Virginia when he was a teen. David met the love of his life Rachel Kinzie when they were sixteen at Andrew Lewis High School. David was drafted into the Army in 1944 during his Senior year of there. He served his country faithfully and helped to liberate a concentration camp in Germany-earning a bronze star for his service.

David returned from the Army in the spring 1946 and married Rachel in August 1947. He attended Virginia Southern College leaving there to start employment at what became Salem Frame Company-where he worked as Purchasing Director until he was in his early sixties.

During this time David faithfully taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and was a Deacon in Salem Baptist Church. During his later years they began attending First Baptist Church in Roanoke Virginia where he taught adult Sunday School and served as a Deacon. Also, David and Rachel led services for folks in nursing homes.

David and his wife had two children Sally and David who have given him four wonderful grandchildren in age order Ian, Corey, Grant and Tima.

He has one great-grandchild Seth.

In 2006 David and Rachel moved to Raleigh and joined Open Door Baptist Church. David enjoyed giving candy to all of the people at church and the neighborhood in North Raleigh.

Finally David's life revolved around walking the neighborhood where he lived. He was always a giving man who developed micro vascular dementia and this left him with only two things to give- a wave and a smile and he gave those freely to the neighbors.

The family wants to thank the great and caring folks at Elmcroft Assisted Living where David resided since September 2009. The family is also very appreciative of the care given by the staff at the emergency room of Wake Med North and the care and attention by the staff of Wake Med 5th floor and lastly the family thanks the caring staff at Hospice of Wake County.