Johnny Hanks

Johnny Hanks was born in Winston-Salem on March 25, 1944 to proud parents James Garfield Hanks and Dora Alexander Hanks.  Johnny had two older twin sisters, Frances Hanks Denison and Joanna Hanks Page, who were known in local circles as the “Moonshine Twins.”   Johnny lived most of his life at 2210 Queen Street and attended Hanes High School where he was a manager for the football team coached by one of his uncles, Willson Alexander.  Johnny’s two uncles Coach Willson Alexander and Judge Abner Alexander were positive influences and almost father figures to Johnny as his father was killed in an automobile accident when Johnny was very young.

Johnny worked on the maintenance team at North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem for over 35 years.  He worked on various projects over the years and was proud to be part of the team at the hospital now known as Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Hospital.  He was a member of Ardmore Methodist Church for many years where he also volunteered and enjoyed ringing the church bells.  Johnny loved gardening and grew large summer vegetable gardens behind the family home on Queen Street for decades.  After his mother passed away Johnny lived in Kernersville with his cousin Sharon Walsh and her husband Brent Walsh.  Johnny spent his final years living at Arbor Ridge retirement community in Kernersville.  Johnny was preceded in death by his mother and two older sisters.  Johnny (Uncle John) was a kindhearted man who loved to laugh and dance.  He will be missed by his friends and extended family.

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