Dawn Davis Hancock

Dawn Davis Hancock passed on peacefully at her home in Boston, Georgia on Friday, October 13, 2023 at the mighty age of 87. She was born at the hospital in Albany, Georgia on April 29, 1936, to the late Willet Emmett Davis and Dolores Jackson Davis Cromartie. She grew up in Boston, and at Boston Elementary School she met the love of her life, Jerry, in the second grade, and the two became fast friends. It was the beginning of a lifetime of love, care, and partnership. She grew up surrounded by an extensive and loving family in Baconton and spread across south Georgia. She spoke often of them, but as an only child for 12 years her fondest memories were of her Daddy. He was a busy man but from her stories he clearly doted on her. They often went walking through the surrounding countryside, fishing in creeks and ponds, and occasionally hunting (though, she said, she talked too much and scared off the game). After high school, she attended Wesleyan College for a year before she transferred to Florida State University and got her B.A. in Education, staying in contact with her high school sweetheart through letters all the while. When he returned from deployment, the two rekindled their relationship and then married on July 3, 1960 at the Boston Methodist Church, her childhood congregation. They began their life together in Boston, and she followed her mother into teaching. Education would remain one of her life-long passions.
She had her first son, Jerry II, in 1962, followed by three more boys in 1964, 1965, and 1970. During that time the family built a house in Thomasville, before returning to Boston in 1977 in a farmhouse they built at the edge of town. Dawn would live there with her husband and family until the moment she passed. After graduating, she began her career at Central High School in Thomasville before returning to Boston Elementary. She started at Brookwood School in Thomasville in the early 1970’s, and spent the majority of her career there. She wasn’t afraid of a challenge and in the late years of her career she also taught at Autry and Valdosta State Prisons before going on to teach GED classes at Southwest Regional Technical College.
She enjoyed many hobbies, and could often be found painting, sewing, planting flowers and herbs in her garden, swimming, fishing, and bird-watching. She loved her family deeply. Her faith was also vitally important to her, and she remained a devout Christian with an abiding love for God throughout her entire life. She was a dedicated student of His teaching and her faith evolved throughout her years, changing denominations from her childhood Methodist to Presbyterian before co-founding New Covenant Church with her home group. She served there for four decades as a charter member and elder’s wife, and was well-loved for her gregarious, friendly, and gentle nature. Every Sunday for years, the sanctuary rang with the sound of her voice and the jingling of her bracelets and bangles.
She is survived by her sons, Jerry (Valerie) Hancock II, Willett “Bill” (Candace) Hancock Sr., Robert (Michelle) Hancock Sr., and James (Pamela) Hancock, grandchildren, Emily (Caleb) Brogan, Virginia “Gini” (Charlie) Hancock, Bobby Hancock, Willett Hancock Jr., and Isabella Hancock, and great grandchildren, Emberlynn and Mckynlee, as well as her sister Dolores Rodden, and her children and grandchildren.
She was greatly and deeply loved, and those who knew her know that she was a rare blessing among humanity. Her visitation will be at Allen & Allen funeral home on October 15, 2023, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. She will be laid to rest with a graveside service at the Boston Cemetery on October 16, 2023 at 11:00 AM, beside her loving husband, parents, and parents-in-law. In lieu of flowers, donations can be mailed to Birdsong Nature Center at 2160 Meridian Road, Thomasville, Georgia 31792.