GEORGE VENABLE HANNAH JR., age 95 years, a resident of Elkins, WV and Bradenton, FL departed this life peacefully, early Sunday morning, February 27, 2011 at the Valentine Personal Care Home in Elkins, WV.
He was born Friday, August 13, 1915 at Cass, WV a son of the late George Venable Hannah and Willie Gully Hannah.
On December 13, 1946 at the First Baptist Church of Elkins, he was married to the former Margaret Louise Cook Hannah; who preceded him in death on May 14, 2000.
Surviving is one sister: Annie Hannah Wood and husband Donald, Beverly; and their daughters: Linda Conners(Robert), Baltimore, MD, Anita Gordon(Jack) Chadds Ford, PA, Ann Kenney (Steve) Corliss, WV, and Dawn Swecker (Arden) of Beverly. Also surviving is one sister-in-law: Mary Alice Hannah, Burlington, WV; and her children: Joel M. Hannah(April) Leesburg, VA, Dr. c. lynne hannah, Shepherdstown, WV, and Samuel B. Hannah, Burlington, WV. He is also survived by his wife’s sister, Helen Rice (Jim) Tyler, TX; and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death are three brothers: Samuel Baldwin Hannah, William Hevener Hannah and Joel Mathews Hannah.
He had attended the schools of Pocahontas County, and graduated from Green Bank High School; and attended Bridgewater College at Harrisonburg, VA. George served in the United States Army during WWII and was a long-time employee of the Monongahela Power Company where he was the head of the land right-of-way department. One of his greatest joys was his work with the Mountain State Forest Festival where he served as the Director General in 1957 and 1968. In 2009, he was honored by the Maple Leaf Society as the oldest living Director General of the Mt. State Forest Festival. He was a life member of the Elkins Lodge of the Elks BPOE, Lodge #1135.
Mr. Hannah was an Elder in the Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church of Elkins and a member of the Kirkwood Presbyterian Church in Bradenton, FL where he and his wife enjoyed their retirement years. Throughout his life, he enjoyed researching genealogy and compiled books about the Hannah Family.
In keeping with his wishes, Mr. Hannah’s request for cremation was honored. A graveside service will be held at 11:30 AM, Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Arbovale Cemetery at Arbovale, WV. The Rev. Dr. Peter Vial and the Rev. Joanne Glaser will officiate and interment of the cremains will follow. Following the service there will be fellowship of friends and family as well as lunch at the Liberty Presbyterian Church at Greenbank, WV. In case of inclement weather the service will also be held at the church. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church of Elkins, Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, Bradenton, FL or Hospice Care Corporation.
