Mary and Nathanial Hankins Dual Recipients of Citizen of the Year Award

The Citizen of the Year title is normally reserved for a single person honored for their service to San Angelo, but 2013 proved to be a rare exception as a couple dedicated to the city were selected to receive the award. 

Mary and Nathaniel “Hank’” Hankins joined the small group of couples Wednesday night at the Chamber of Commerce's Annual Banquet, a limited list that also includes Steve and Pollyanna Stephens (1974), Richard and Donna Salmon (1983), Stephen and Ellen Brown (1997), as well as the double couple recipients Cal and Donna, and Joel and Suzanna Sugg in (1999).

Last year’s recipient of the award, State Representative Drew Darby, introduced the Hankins, starting with their history which began in a Florida high school. The two had attended high school together and were subsequently married, before moving to San Angelo to be stationed at Goodfellow Airforce Base.

While Darby shared their history, he made sure to focus on the aspects that the very modest Hankinses cared most about.

“These people have shared a lifetime of Godliness, love, compassion and service,” he stated after listing many organizations the Hankinses have served in, such as the Lions Club, Boys and Girls Club, Ministerial Alliance, United Way, Soup Kitchen and many others.

Darby detailed Mary Hankin’s passion for serving in the soup kitchen specifically.

“She was the director of the Wesley Trinity Daily Bread Soup Kitchen for over 30 years,” he said. “Knowing people were hungry kept her returning to the soup kitchen day after day for decades.”

When the official introduction was made, the couple received a standing ovation lasting nearly two minutes.

The Hankinses stood on the stage with their award and Nathanial Hankins, a pastor familiar with a podium, spoke first.

“I said this in church a lot, ‘wow,’ and this is a ‘double wow,’” said Hankins, before exclaiming, “no one told me anything!"

The selection of Citizen of the Year is made by former recipients who meet to discuss who should receive the award.

“We look for an individual or a couple that have made a significant impact on the community either for one specific year's activities or for a life’s work,” explained Lee Pfluger, 1986 recipient. “The Hankinses were honored for their life’s work and continued impact in the community.” Pfluger added that the decision was unanimous.

That sentiment was echoed by many in attendance who came over to congratulate them. “You’re the most deserving people in town,” said one man in the crowd, and “We love y’all!” a woman called out.

All the while, the Hankinses’ son and four grandchildren smiled proudly at the outpouring of admiration and honor Mary and Nathaniel Hankins were receiving from San Angelo.

“It fills me with pride for my parents to see so many people think so highly of them, said Darryl Hankins, son of Mary and Nathaniel. “The impact they’ve had in this community, you can’t ask for more for your parents.”

Darryl Hankins and his family came down from Louisville when they found out that his parents were being awarded Citizen of the Year. He explained that they were definitely deserving and being honored will mean a lot to his parents.

“It’s an outstanding place to be and we wanted to be involved with the city,” said Nathaniel Hankins. “The people here are great, it was a natural fit for us.”