James Earl Hankins, 90, of Aliceville, AL passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016, at Aliceville Manor, Aliceville, AL.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 17, 2016, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM with Rev. Tommy Winders officiating and Rev. Mike Ezelle assisting in the Lowndes Funeral Home Chapel, Columbus, MS. Interment will be in the Carrollton City Cemetery, Carrollton, AL with Lowndes Funeral Home directing.

Mr. Hankins was born March 13, 1926, to the late Claude Loudellion and Dovie Lee Pearson Hankins in Vernon, AL.  He served as a PFC during WWII in the United States Army, where he received a Purple Heart for his injuries sustained in battle near Gamsheim, France. Mr. Hankins was a farmer by trade. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his 2 sisters-Linnie Ray Malone and Nell Thompson; 5 brothers-Hershel Hankins, Cecil Hankins, Loyce Hankins, A. J. Hankins and C. L. Hankins.

Mr. Hankins is survived by his wife-Betty Irene Eads Hankins, Aliceville, AL; daughter-Sherry (John) McGee, Carrollton, AL; sons-Kenny (Celeste) Hankins, Aliceville, AL and Donnie (Fran) Hankins, Northport, AL; 7 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren; sisters-Dorothy Lee and Betty Pounders, Columbus, MS; brother-in-law-James Thompson, Germantown, TN; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Mr. Hankins' grandsons and nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be Employees of Aliceville Manor Nursing Home, and Dr. Dale Robbins.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 1380 Livingston Lane, Jackson, MS 39213.