Hershel N. and Marie Hanner
Hershel and Marie Hanner, both reared in Atlanta, were married Thanksgiving day, November 27, 1930 and honeymooned at the Baker Hotel in Dallas where they heard the famous Paul Whiteman Orchestra. They made their home with her parents, Charles Henry, and Annie Lillian “Daisy” Hefner, until a new home was completed for them in June, 1934. The home, designed by Marie and built by Hershel’s uncle, Spurge Stuckey, continues to be the home of the Hershel Manner family. Hershel died June 25, 1973 when he was fatally injured in a twocar accident on the southeast side of Atlanta. Marie continued to reside at 207 West Miller.
Hershel Nathan Hanner, born June 8, 1908, was the son of John and Willie Bertha Stuckey Hanner. He was born in Myrtis, Louisiana and moved to Atlanta with his family while still a young boy.
Marie, born Johnnie Marie Hefner, April 6, 1909, in Hughes Springs, was named for an uncle. She is the daughter of Charles Henry and Annie Lillian “Daisy” Traylor Hefner. The family moved to Linden and lived there for four years while her father was District Clerk of Cass County. Then, they moved to Atlanta where he became an insurance broker.
At the time of their marriage Hershel owned and operated a Gulf service station, Marie taught at the Stewart School which later became the Smyrna School. Hershel, who had studied at Centenary College, Shreveport, La. later became a partner in the funeral business with his father and uncle. Not only was he a partner in the Hanner Funeral Home of Atlanta, but also of funeral homes in Linden, Naples, DeKalb and Vivian, Louisiana ...as well as the Hanner Ellis Pulp-wood Company.
Hershel was very active both in the work of the First Methodist Church where he was a member, and also in local civic affairs. Forty years he served on the board of Stewards at the Methodist Church; he was a director of the Berkins School of Theology; he served on both the Atlanta School Board and the County School Board; he served as President and Director of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce; he was a charter member of the Atlanta Lions Club; he served as president of the East Texas Funeral Directors Association; he was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was a Shriner. Through his untiring efforts and generous financial support, Hershel was influential in getting the State Parks Board to locate the Atlanta State Park on Lake Wright Patman.
Marie, who has also been active in the work of the church and local civic affairs. She sings and plays both the piano and organ, and has been called to perform many times at church functions, weddings, funerals, and civic affairs. She began studying piano while a girl at Linden and continued the study of music through high school and college. She attended Baylor Female College and graduated from Texarkana Junior College. Before accepting a teaching position at Stewart School, she taught piano lessons in Linden and Atlanta.
Marie is a member of several civic organizations, she helped organize the Atlanta Memorial Library, The Community Concert Association, and the Atlanta Art League. Twice she has been president of the Atlanta Woman’s Club; she is a past president of P T A. tad in First Baptist Church, Atlanta, she was a member of the choir, taught Sunday School Classes and worked in W M U at many levels including president.
After the death of both her parents, Marie joined her husband in the Methodist Church, where she continues her Christian service in many areas. Hershel and Marie Hanner were the parents of three children: Suzanne Marie, born March 5, 1934; Hershel Randall “Randy”, born September 1, 1937; and Jan Carolyn, born July 28, 1941. Suzanne married Dr. Everett Hale of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Their children are Ernest Everett III and Kathleen Marie Hale. Randy married Donna Gail Fitzwater of Texarkana; their children are John Michael and Julie Lee Hanner. Jan married James Knowles of Atlanta; their children are Deborah Jan “Debbie” and Steven Chapman Knowles. RANDY AND DONNA GAIL HANNER Randy and Donna Gail Hanner have made their home in Atlanta since their marriage July 25 1959 Randy is a third-generation resident of Cass County on his father’s side of the family. On his mother’s side, he is at least a seventh generation Cass County resident through the Hefner and Floyd lines. He is the son of Hershel Nathan’ and Marie Hefner Hanner of Atlanta, Texas. He was born September 1, 1937 in Atlanta.
Donna Gail Fitzwater Hanner was born December 16, 1939 at the Pine Street Hospital in Texarkana, Texas. She is the daughter of Don and Barbara Fitzwater of Rhonda, Arkansas.
It was after completing high school in their respective home towns that Randy and Donna Gail met while attending school in Dallas. Randy, whose father was Partner-Manager of the Hanner Funeral Service, chose to follow in his father’s footsteps. He attended Gupton Jones School of Mortuary Science in Dallas. Donna Gail was studying to become a dental hygienist at the Caruth School of Dental Hygiene at Baylor College of Dentistry. They met in 1957 and were married in 1959. Randy had earlier attended Texarkana Junior College and the University Of Oklahoma. Upon completion of his training, Randy entered the family mortuary business and since the death of his father on June 25, 1973 has become a Partner-Manager of the Firm.
He is a member and past president of the Lions Club, has served as a director of the Chamber of Commerce and at the First Methodist Church where he and Donna Sail are both members, he is a former Chairman of the Administrative Board. Donna Gail is also a member of the Administrative Board. Randy is an avid fisherman and boater.
Donna Gail is a dental hygienist for Dr. A.B. Jordon in Atlanta, where she has been employed for 23 years. She is an active member of the Amity Study Club, as well as several professional organizations. Donna Gail has been listed in Who’s Who in American Women. Her interests include a love for antiques. One of her prized possessions is a collection of wicker furniture. She also loves cooking and entertaining, which she does frequently.
Randy and Donna Gail Hanner are parents of two children both born at Wadley Hospital in Texarkana, Texas. John Michael Hanner born December 12, 1967 and Julie Lee Hanner born November 27, 1970.
Mike enjoys several sports including football, fishing, water skiing, boating and motor cycling. Julie follows her brother’s interest in water skiing and motor cycling, and also enjoys twirling, reading, and drawing.
Submitted by Mrs. Marie Hanner