Rev. Nathaniel A.B. "Hank" Hankins

Rev. Nathaniel A.B. "Hank" Hankins, former Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church, San Angelo, TX.

Rev. Hankins, 90, of San Angelo, Texas, finished his course in faith on June 11, 2025, and has now transferred his membership from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant. With a smile on his face, he is back home with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; reunited with his wife Mary, daughter Doreen, his parents and siblings who preceded him in death, and his best friend from his Air Force days, Phil Johnson. The family will receive friends for visitation from 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M., Friday, June 20, 2025, at Harper Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be 11:00 A.M., Saturday, June 21, 2025, at First Methodist Church. The burial will follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.

Nathaniel (Gift of God) was born March 2, 1935, to Kamuel and Pauline Hankins, in Kenwood, Florida. At a very early age, he professed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, but did not answer the call to Pastoral Ministry until the age of 59.

Hank was a 1952 graduate of Central Academy High School, in Palatka, Florida, and there, met his life-long sweetheart, Mary Esther. They got married on December 22, 1956, and remained married until her death on March 17, 2017. Hank earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas on August 13, 1974. He Completed a 5-year course of study at SMU Perkins School of Theology in 1999. He served his country in the United States Air Force, and retired in March 1974, after tours in the Philippines, Crete Greece, Darmstadt Germany, and Wakkanai Japan. Stateside he was stationed at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Langley AFB, Va, March AFB, Ca, and Goodfellow AFB, San Angelo. He was in the Intelligence Service throughout his time in the service.

After retiring from the Air Force, he came to San Angelo, to accept a position at Ethicon, Inc., and retired from there in March 1991. Hank unsuccessfully ran for SMD 1, City Council Representative in 1992 but later was unanimously appointed on November 9, 1993, to complete the unexpired term, and then elected May 10, 1994. He was a community activist, having served for two years as President of the local branch of the NAACP, Chairman of the Adult Literacy Council, Boys Club Board of Directors, Wesley Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, Habitat for Humanity, City Planning Commission, Chairman of the City’s Race Relation Task Force, Rio Concho Communities Board of Trustees, and Hospice of San Angelo.

Nathaniel answered the call to Pastoral Ministry in April 1994, and was appointed by the Bishop and Cabinet, to serve as the Senior Pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, San Angelo. He also served as Senior Pastor of St. Peter's by the Sea United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi, and Simpson United Methodist Church, in Austin, Texas. He retired during the Annual conference session of 2002 and returned to San Angelo. In 2003, his good friend Rev. Carl Rohlfs, asked him to come to his church, at First United Methodist, as an Associate Pastor. He was appointed as a part-time Associate Pastor, in 2003, where he served until June 2013, when he stopped to take care of his wife. In January of 2014 they were awarded “Citizens of The Year” by the Chamber of Commerce for 2013. They enjoyed traveling, took many cruises, and enjoyed traveling in their motor homes.

Hank is survived by his son Darryl and wife Glennis of Lewisville, TX; grandchildren, Chaveaus, Darrion, Matt and his wife Ashley, and Taryn; Great granddaughter, Samara; Godson Terry and Sharlene Brittain, Goddaughter, Ramona Curtis; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friend Ethel Johnson.

Memorials may be made to the Mature Adults Council at FMC, the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen at Wesley Trinity UMC, or a charity of your choice. Special Thanks to Janice, Gay Fender, and the Cheers Journey Sunday School Classes and also Ronetta.

Family and friends may share their condolences and sign the online register book at www.harper-funeralhome.com.