Thomas Ralph Hancock

Thomas Ralph Hancock, of Andrews, stepped into the arms of his Savior early on the morning of Tuesday, April 28, 2026, one day before his 81st birthday.

Born to Thomas & Delphia Mae (Moore) Hancock in Cherokee County, North Carolina on April 29, 1945, Thomas grew up in the Marble community. He was a Vietnam Veteran, having faithfully served in the United States Marine Corps, and deeply loved his country. He was a former truck driver for Gibson Furniture. He thoroughly enjoyed working with his hands, collecting antique guns and knives, and listening to classic country music such as Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, and Waylon Jennings.

In July of 1977, Thomas married the love of his life, Gladys. Her children became his own, and their legacy of faithful, abiding love can be found intertwined within the roots and branches of a beautiful family tree. He loved hunting and fishing with his grandsons, adored his granddaughters, and was enamored with his ever-growing number of great-grands. Family was everything to him, as was his faith in Christ. He was a former Sunday School teacher, loved studying the Bible, and was a faithful member of Upper Peachtree Baptist Church.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Della Mae, and two granddaughters, Ashley Barmore Weaver and Autumn Millsaps.

He is survived, loved, and mourned by his beloved wife, Gladys Taylor Hancock; his brother, Marvin Hancock; and his children, Doug Millsaps (Jenny), Lisa Millsaps Baker (Kevin), Frank Millsaps (Angela), Christina Hancock Holland, and Teresa Millsaps Baxter. He will also be deeply missed by his grandchildren - Crystal, Jacob, Max, Jace, Kyle, Stephanie, Jeremy, Casey, Mikel, Candace, Wes, Jordan, Corey, Cameron, Dawson, and Rodney; as well as his great-grands - Chloe, Josie, Addison, Maximus, Samson, Huxley, Ava, Autumn, Hailey, Aiden J., Olivia, Cody, Baker (coming soon), Aiden W., Liam, Elece, Bodhi, Jeb, and Gus.

Thomas’ family will receive friends from 1 p.m. ‘til 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at Bear Paw Baptist Church, and the funeral service will follow immediately after. Pastor Derek Tilley will officiate. Pallbearers will be grandsons Mikel, Wesley, Cameron, Jordan, Kasey, Corey, and Maximus, and granddaughter Stephanie. Tommy and Stacy Taylor, as well as Corey Hancock, will provide special singing.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home to help with funeral arrangements.

Thomas’ last few months here on earth were hard, to say the least. The emotional and physical hardships weighed heavily on him and his family. But above all else, if he could give one more bit of advice, he’d gladly tell you to make sure you know where you’re going at the end of this life, because eternal rest with the Savior is worth any and all of the trials and hardships we may face here!

“Jesus said… I am the Resurrection, and the Life; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me, shall never die…”

~John 11:25-26

Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Thomas Ralph Hancock. Sign the guest register and send condolences online at www.cochranmcdaniel.com.