Junior Lee Hankins passed away peacefully, at home surrounded by family, on Easter Sunday, April 5, at the age of 86. After a life marked by unwavering dedication to his faith, his family, and his community, he was welcomed into the arms of Jesus. While we grieve the loss of a man whose presence shaped our lives, we do not grieve without hope. Junior lived his life with quiet strength and steadfast faith, and we take comfort in knowing he is now at rest in the presence of his Savior.

Born and raised in Bledsoe County, Junior was the son of Johnnie and Laura Swafford Hankins; he was a lifelong resident of the county he loved so deeply. Being a member of First Families of Tennessee and First Families of Bledsoe County reflected his love for family and his pride in the contributions of his family to Bledsoe County.

At the age of sixteen, Junior was saved in a tent revival held by brothers D.H. and Garth Swafford, a blessing that guided him for the rest of his life. He faithfully served as a deacon at Winesap Freewill Baptist Church, where he was known for his listening ear, servant’s heart, and enduring patience. His faith was not only something he professed but something he lived daily through his actions and relationships.

Junior made history as the longest-serving county commissioner in Bledsoe County, dedicating 44 years to public service. Among the longest-serving commissioners in the state of Tennessee, his practical wisdom and deep care for his community was evidenced in this role. He voted many times to keep taxes low, always mindful of the burdens faced by local farmers and families. His decades of service were marked by cooperation and respect, once noted by a former Democratic Party chairman as a man willing to listen, compromise, and work with others to get things done.

In March 2026, his extraordinary service was formally recognized when Resolution SJR706 was signed by Governor Bill Lee, honoring his 44-year tenure as a Bledsoe County Commissioner. In recognition of his dedication and character, he was also named the 2022 Bledsoe County Republican of the Year. He was a man who cared for others; he was approachable, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in the values of his community.

From an early age, Junior was known for his strong work ethic. A lifelong farmer, he maintained beef and dairy herds for most of his life; he could also grow anything, from acres of crops to a garden and flowers with his wife, but his talents extended far beyond the farm. Over the years, he worked as a coal miner, logger, sawmill operator, service station operator, school bus driver, and heavy equipment operator. If Junior could climb on a piece of equipment, he could run it, and always with a smile. Junior could also build anything. Gifted with remarkable ingenuity, he could fix nearly anything, earning the affectionate title of “the best hillbilly engineer in the state.” He could solve almost any problem and was often called upon to share his abilities, wisdom, and perspective.

Above all else, Junior was a devoted family man. He shared sixty-eight years of marriage with his beloved wife, Shirley Johnson Hankins, building a life centered on faith, love, and hospitality. Together, they created a home where everyone felt welcome, a place where coffee was always on and time was always made for conversation. He was a loving father and a proud grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. Known affectionately as Daddy, Dad, Pa, Pap, Junior, and Junior Lee, he was described as “the best Pa anyone could ever ask for.” Junior led by example, teaching his family the value of hard work, patience, and service to others. His friends and neighbors knew him as a wise and knowledgeable man, always ready to lend a hand, yet never seeking praise for doing so. Whether lending a hand or simply listening, Junior was always there.

Finding joy in the simple pleasures of life, Junior loved the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, and once proudly caught a 100-pound halibut in Alaska, a story that he loved to tell. However, Junior’s favorite activity was helping others do the things that were important to them.

Junior Lee Hankins lived a life of rare ability, steadfast dedication, and quiet humility. His legacy is one of service, love, and faith, a legacy that will continue to inspire all who knew him. His life reflected his faith in God and the finished work of Christ for his salvation, and we know that he is now in the presence of the Lord and has heard, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

Junior was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents, Isaac Ease and Eliza Pearson Hankins, and Alfred and Nettie Roberts Swafford; his brother Lawrence (Deborah) Hankins; and his brothers and sisters from the blending of the Hankins and Dunn families, DE (Ruth) Hankins, David (Pauline) Hankins, Mary Lou (Lawrence) McClendon, Jake Hankins, Landel Hankins, Walter (Mary Ella) Hankins, Stevie Hankins, Jewel (Gayness) Wyatt, Thompson (Maggie) Dunn, Eleanor (Albert) Hurst, Lela (Tom) Thurman, York (Mildred) Dunn, Dan (Betty) Dunn, Tunney (Wilma) Dunn, Nelma (Jamie) Dunn, Thelma Thurman, Ruby (Flavis) Roberts, and Mary Ann (Herbert) Seals.

Junior is survived by his devoted wife, Shirley Johnson Hankins; his children, Gary (Jan) Hankins, Stanley (Connie) Hankins, Colleen (Vaughn) Spears, and Dale (Lesa Bouldin) Hankins; his grandchildren, Tiwanna (Brian) Bricker, Johnathan Hankins, Jessica (Kevin) Holland, Becki Bryant, Holly (Mark) Smith, and Jessie (Amanda) Hankins; his bonus grandchildren, Jody (Staci) Smith, Misty (Tommy) Selby, Kerry (Amber) Smith, Evan (Angela) Tabor, and Emily (Ricky) Richeson; his great-grandchildren, Cameron (Jalon Foster) Bryant, Jaderian (Matthew McCloud) Grissom, Cailyn (Dawson) Smith, Carlee Bryant, Isom Grissom, Marlie Slatton, Jackson Hankins, Tori Bricker, Kinley Hankins, Kennedy Hankins, Harper Smith, and Riley Kate Hankins; his bonus great-grandchildren, Alli (Dillon) Mitchell, Josi (Mica) Badger, Brady Smith, Zuri Smith, Mason Smith, Eli Smith, Madi Smith, Kinze Smith, and Baili Richeson; his great-great-grandchildren, Myla McCloud, Korbyn Foster, and Addy Bryant; his bonus great-great-grandchild, Ivri Badger; his beloved sister, Jewelene Vineyard; his sisters-in-law, Mary Frances Hankins, Darlene Anderson, and Rowena Rhodes Frady; his brother-in-law, Wayford (Evelyn) Johnson; and a host of family members, friends, neighbors, and community members whose lives he touched.

Junior Lee Hankins will be remembered as a kind, honest, trustworthy, and faithful man, a pillar of his community and a cornerstone of his family. His life stands as a testament to Christ! This legacy will endure in the lives he touched and the example he set for generations to come. May his death point others to Christ, as his life has.

A celebration of life will be at 3:00pm CDT Friday, April 10, 2026 in the Pikeville Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Johnathan Hankins and Bro. Adam Hargis officiating. Burial will be in the Blackburn Cemetery. The family will receive friends 1:00pm-9:00pm CDT Thursday, April 9, 2026 and 12:00pm-3:00pm Friday, April 10, 2026 at Pikeville Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Winesap Freewill Baptist Church, 247 John Myers Road, Crossville, TN 38572.

Condolences can be made at www.pikevillefuneralhome.com. Pikeville Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements.