Jim Leslie Hankins

Jim Leslie Hankins, of Jasper, Ark., died at home with his loving daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Rodney Grisanti, in Ukiah, Calif., March 26. He joins his beloved wife, Dallas, his sisters Pauline Sowell, Shirley (Lowell) Holt and Willie (Randall) Williams and his parents, Tom and Elsie Lee Dickey Hankins. He is survived by his children, Sarah Leslie (Rodney) Grisanti and Lee Fletcher Hankins, his sisters Camilla (Richard) Smith of Piqua, Ohio, Hazel (Ralph) Jones of Atlanta, Ga., his brother Don Hankins of Pelsor, Martha Angelo (George) Easley of Newport, R.I., James "Jim" (Daniel) Angelo of Little Rock, Lucien "Butch" Angelo of Hernando, Miss., special niece Camille Williams (Wayne) Bennett of Scott, and many nieces, relatives and cousins. Jim was born Nov. 25, 1940, in Pelsor, Ark. One of seven siblings, his father owned and operated the Hankins General Store and had the post office. He graduated from Arkansas Polytechnic College (now Arkansas Tech). Jim married Dallas Angelo of Augusta. They lived first in North Little Rock and then settled in Pine Bluff where they raised a family and were very involved in their church, Grace Episcopal, and their community. Jim worked with the criminal justice system, where he developed early intervention and support systems for affected youth and their families that mentored children and was directed at avoiding incarceration and reducing recidivism. He excelled at public relations and worked to promote Arkansas with Arkansas Parks and Tourism and worked as Public Relations Director of First South Bank. Eventually, Jim moved to Russellville and later to Jasper. He loved the mountains and nature. His favorite activity was to sit in the sun and read. He was a voracious reader – from books, magazines and newspapers, he loved to learn something new and was never without a book or two. He dearly adored his wife and his two children, sports and his dogs and did everything possible to give them a good life. He was a devoted brother to a large, close-knit family and a friend to all he met. He left this world a much better place than when he found it because he touched everyone with humor, good conversation and kindness. He cared more for others than himself and lived his Christian faith every day and in every way. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Paws in Prison Foundation, P.O. Box 8707, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71611-8707.