Mary Elizabeth Hancock

Mary Elizabeth Creswell Hancock, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026, in Olympia, Washington, after a courageous battle with metastatic cancer. She was 73 years old.
Mary was born on July 21, 1952, in Union Springs, Alabama, to Mary Elizabeth Reid Creswell and John Lester Creswell, Sr. Throughout her life, Mary made her home in many places, including Athens, Georgia; Copperas Cove, Texas; Columbus, Georgia; Houston, Texas; ultimately Olympia, Washington.
On March 18, 1977, Mary married Terry Paul Hancock, in Houston, Texas. Their marriage of nearly five decades produced two children in whom she fostered a love of reading, education, and independence.
Mary found joy in life's quieter moments. She loved reading fiction, writing letters, the fabric arts, and playing games. Her hands were rarely still, lovingly engrossed in crocheting, cross-stitching, embroidery, quilting, and sewing. She took great pride in creating and donating hats for the less fortunate members of her community, especially newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Mary is survived by her husband, Terry Paul Hancock; her son, Christopher Scott Hancock of Olympia, Washington; her daughter, Rachel Rebecca Mastache; her brother, Bruce Creswell of Houston, Texas; and her sister, Leslie Lynne Carlisle of Pasadena, Texas. She is also lovingly remembered by her many friends whose lives she touched.
Mary was preceded in death by her brother, John Creswell, Jr.; her mother, Mary Elizabeth Reid Creswell; her father, John Lester Creswell, Sr.; her maternal grandparents, Arthur Robert Reid and Lavina Faie Reid; and her paternal grandparents, Seal Harris Creswell and Ruth Howard Creswell.
Mary will be laid to rest in the Reid family plot at Oak Hill Cemetery in Union Springs, Alabama, on January 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m