James Vernon Hanna, 83, passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at University of Mississippi Medical Center with his wife, Barbara, at his side. Services will be Saturday, March 16 at 3 p.m. in the Nowell-Massey Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Andrew Hanna officiating. Visitation will also be the day of the service from 1 p.m. until service time at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville. Interment will immediately follow the service in Louisville Memorial Cemetery.
James was born in Noxapater, Mississippi, to Conner and Evelyn Hanna on July 19, 1940. The family later moved to the Rocky Hill community in Winston County, where he attended elementary school at Rocky Hill School and met his lifelong friend Ronnie Woodruff. He attended Louisville High School and graduated from Nanih Waiya High School.
After marrying his wife, Barbara Callaway Hanna, and welcoming their son, Russell James Hanna, he started his long career in law enforcement. He attended Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Center in 1966 and served Mississippi as a State Trooper in Union, Mississippi, until he retired as a Master Sergeant in 1991. He was then elected to serve as Newton County Sheriff from 1992-1996. After his retirement, he and Barbara moved back to the Rocky Hill community to help care for his elderly parents. In addition to being an excellent law enforcement officer, James was a loving husband—who thought he was the luckiest man alive to have Barbara— a loving, caring father to Rusty, grandfather to Andrew, and great-grandfather to James Duke and Judah. He loved his family dearly and was so very proud of their every achievement. James was a faithful member of Enon Baptist Church, where he served the Lord after his move from Union. In addition, he was an avid sportsman, who loved deer hunting, especially with Rusty. He was also an excellent cook, who loved preparing the meat from his hunts. For many years, he hosted his church and his community to New Year’s Eve in his shop. James cooked the deer meat and his famous ribs, and everyone enjoyed a night of playing games, such as dominoes, and eating delicious food. He and Barbara also enjoyed traveling, and they spent many years traveling both on their motorcycle and in their motor home. They traveled all over the United States, but they always loved the Smokey Mountains best.
James is survived by his wife, Barbara; son, Rusty (Lanette); grandson, Andrew (Mary Margaret); and great-grandsons, James Duke and Judah. He is also survived by his sisters, Barbara A. Hanna of Louisville and Kathy Johnson of Noxapater; brothers-in-law, Ricky (Rita) Callaway of Pearl and Winfred Keen of Union; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends whom he loved dearly. He is preceded in death by his parents, Conner and Evelyn Hanna; his sister-in-law, Dot Keen of Union; and his brothers-in-law, W. C. Callaway of Tennessee and Randall Johnson of Noxapater.
Memorials in memory of James may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (online at stjude.org or by mail to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105) or to Harvest Church (2035 St. Ann St., New Orleans, LA 70116).
Serving as pallbearers are Steve Moore, Timmy Ming, Danny Heard, Britt Goodin, Conner Goodin, Keith Goodin, Hunter Goodin, Larry Walker, and William Smith. Honorary pallbearers are Albert Moore, Ron Davis, Ernie White, Ronnie Woodruff, Mark Herrington, and members of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol and Retirees.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
Serving as pallbearers are Steve Moore, Timmy Ming, Danny Heard, Britt Goodin, Conner Goodin, Keith Goodin, Hunter Goodin, Larry Walker, and William Smith. Honorary pallbearers are Albert Moore, Ron Davis, Ernie White, Ronnie Woodruff, Mark Herrington, and members of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol and Retirees.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
