Rev. Robert Herman Hancock

Robert Herman Hancock, 93, longtime resident of Ripley, MS passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Friday, December 12, 2025 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in New Albany, MS.

Funeral services will be at noon on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at New Life Pentecostal Church in Ripley with his longtime friend and fellow pastor, Rev. James Sandy, officiating. Other memories and words of comfort will be shared by his son-in-law and current pastor of New Life Pentecostal Church, Rev. Bobby Goode, and great-grandson, Bro. Taylor Garner, youth pastor at New Life Pentecostal Church. The obituary will be read by Rev. Dylan Burcham, assistant pastor at the Gospel Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in Tishomingo. Burial will follow at Tippah Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Monday and from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Tuesday, all at New Life Pentecostal Church.

Born October 2, 1932 in Alcorn County, Bro. Hancock was the first of five children born to Mark and Leo Farris Hancock. He was a product of Rienzi School in Alcorn County. He supported his family in various public jobs both before and during his surrender to the ministry in 1960. After four years as an evangelist, he was eventually led to Ripley and invited by the congregation in Ripley, which would later take the name of New Life Pentecostal Church to serve as their pastor. He held this position from then until his health required him to retire from the active ministry in May of 2019 at which time he was recognized as the longest continuously serving Mississippi pastor within the United Pentecostal Church organization. During that time the church experienced much growth, and in addition to his work as pastor, Bro. Hancock also served for 16 years as the district presbyter within the United Pentecostal Church.

He is survived by his wife, Georgia Maye Robinson Hancock of Ripley, of what would have been 73 years of marriage on December 27th. In addition, he is survived by one daughter: Sheila Goode (Bobby) of Ripley; one son: Randall Hancock (Paula) of Ripley; one brother: David Hancock (Shirley) of Ripley; one sister: Virginia Mills of New Albany; four granddaughters: Shelley Burcham (Duane) of Tishomingo, Katrina Gates (Brian) of Ripley, Stephanie Garner (Chris) of Ripley, and Dawn Stroupe (Clint) of Dumas; fourteen great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

From his youth, Bro. Hancock was always a people person and enjoyed nothing more than talking with and getting to know other people and his social nature served him well in his life's work as a pastor. However, he also had a great love for horses, specifically the quarter horses that he enjoyed owning, riding, and trading. It is hard to say whether he knew more people from his ministry work or from the friendships and connections he formed trading and riding horses. He was well-known both in his local community and far beyond, and his presence will be missed by the many individuals he touched over the long life he was blessed to live. His faith, love of others, and especially the love he had for his family have left a treasure of memories for them to cherish in future years and a positive impact which will be felt for generations to come.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Peggy Ann Hancock, and a brother, Jerry Wayne Hancock.

Serving as pallbearers will be Rev. Duane Burcham, Brian Gates, Chris Garner, Clint Stroupe, Tyler Burcham, Sam Gates, Channing Garner, Justin Coleman, and Brayden Coleman. Honorary pallbearers will be Rev. Dylan Burcham, Bro. Taylor Garner, and Madison Clint Stroupe.

Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with Bro. Hancocks family.