Venita Lee Hancock

Venita Lee Hancock, age 84, passed away from respiratory failure on Sunday, September 29, 2013, in Lakeland. Born March 21, 1929, in Cedar Grove, WV, she was the daughter of the late Bittle O. and Nellie Linkous. Mrs. Hancock was a homemaker and a member of the Highland Park Church of the Nazarene. She is survived by a loving family that includes her husband of 65 years, Rev. John J. Hancock of Lakeland; three sons, Rev. Jerome Hancock, (Brenda) of Richmond, VA, Rev. Michael Hancock (Becky) of Nashville, TN, Rev. Timothy Hancock (JoAnne) of Mount Vernon, OH, two daughters; Brooksie Smith (Rev. David) of Lakeland, and Cati Lingle (Mike) of Avon, IN. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren; two sisters, Jean Brown of Hagerstown, MD, Susie Coburn of Goose Creek, SC, and two brothers; Robert Linkous of Julian, WV, and Rufus "Link" Linkous of Wilmington, NC. Arrangements are being handled by Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, 650 East Main Street in Bartow, where the family will receive friends on Thursday, October 3, from 6pm to 8pm. Funeral services will follow Friday, October 4, at 10am at the Highland Park Church of the Nazarene, 4777 Lakeland Highlands Rd. in Lakeland. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Highland Park Church of the Nazarene for Nazarene World Missions, 4777 Lakeland Highlands Rd., Lakeland, FL 33813.