Laura Jane Hankins

Laura Jane Hankins died at home on August 12, 2025, after a brief encounter with cancer. Laura was born on June 7, 1978, in Charlotte, NC, to Irvin W. Hankins III (“Hank”) and Barbara Brewer Hankins (“Bobbie”).

Despite her mental limitations, Laura went full-throttle into life by engaging in a wide range of activities.  Laura attended Ramsey Kindergarten at Avondale Presbyterian Church, a preschool for children with special needs where she met many of her life-long friends.  These friendships continued to grow during her years at Metro School.  Outside of school, Laura enjoyed music therapy at Queens University, Camp Soar, Special Olympics and many activities at the Marion Diehl Center.

Laura deeply loved all her family, her very special friend Danny Kirkland, who she met at Ramsey as a two-year-old, and her caregivers.  Laura loved her books and listening to music, especially beach music.  She loved to dance, and the Joy Prom was an annual highlight of her social calendar.  She loved birthdays and holidays.  She loved her church family at Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian, and she was a devoted member of the Joy Class at Providence United Methodist.

While Charlotte was her home, Laura was always up for a road trip.  She loved spending time at Topsail Beach, visiting family in Pink Hill, nights with Grandmother Evelyn, and relaxing in the mountains at High Meadows.  No matter where she went, she was always happy to return to her own residence on Falls Church Road.

The family would like to thank all the wonderful people that helped Laura navigate her world: teachers, therapists, counselors, caregivers, friends and family members; as well as the team at InReach for their support in managing Laura’s home over the last 15 years.  Special thanks are extended to the two caregivers that spent so many years loving Laura: Crystal McDaniel and Danita Frazier.

Laura is survived by her parents (Hank and Bobbie Hankins), her older sister and brother-in-law (Marsha and Drew Thrasher), her niece (Maggie Thrasher) and nephews (Drayton and Hank Thrasher); and her Aunts and Uncles (Ron and Vicki Hankins, Charlie and Betty Watson, Billy Brewer and Jo Ann Sanford, Tom and Carolyn Whitfield); and her many cousins.  She was preceded in death by her loving grandparents (Irvin and Evelyn Hankins, and Billy and Marsha Brewer).

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in memory of Laura to InReach (4014 Monroe Rd. – Bldg. 4 – Suite 170, Charlotte, NC 28205), Queens University Music Therapy (1900 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte, NC 28274) or the Joy Class at Providence United Methodist (2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211).

The family will receive visitors at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Home from 5:00-6:30 pm on Sunday, August 17, 2025.  A funeral service will take place 11 am Monday, August 18, 2025, at Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church, 2929 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte, NC, with a reception following the service.  A graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn West at 3 pm on Monday.