Irvin White Hankins III

Irvin White Hankins III (“Hank”) passed away peacefully at Presbyterian Hospital on June 23, 2026. A proud, lifelong resident of Charlotte, Hank was born on September 1, 1946. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irvin White Hankins, Jr. and Evelyn Cross Hankins, and his beloved daughter, Laura Jane Hankins.

Hank leaves behind a legacy of deep devotion to his family. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara Brewer Hankins (“Bobbie”); his daughter, Marsha Hankins Thrasher, and her husband, Drew Thrasher of Charlotte, NC; and his three cherished grandchildren, Margaret Elizabeth Thrasher (“Maggie”), Andrew Drayton Thrasher, Jr. (“Drayton”), and William Hankins Thrasher (“Hank”). He is also survived by his brother, James Ronald Hankins, and his wife, Vicki, of Charlotte NC. Hank is also survived by his sister-in-law Betty Watson (Charlie), sister-in-law Carolyn Whitfield (Tom), brother-in-law Billy Brewer (Jo Anne Sanford) and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Hank grew up attending Charlotte public schools and graduated from Harding High School in 1964, where his natural leadership and character quickly became evident. He served as captain of the football team under legendary coach Dave Harris and was selected to the 1962 and 1963 Charlotte Observer and News All-Mecklenburg County Teams. His peers recognized his character early on, honoring him with the Sportsmanship Award (1962), the Best Lineman Award (1963), and naming him a “Top Ten Senior” and “Best All Around.” His love of football conintued throughout his life- cheering for the Tar Heels, Panthers and most importantly his grandsons.

Hank carried this leadership to UNC Chapel Hill, which he attended on a Navy ROTC Scholarship, graduating in 1968. As a Midshipman, he rose to the rank of Commander, was inducted into the Scabbard and Blade Society, and received the NROTC American Legion Medal in 1968. While at Chapel Hill, he was also a dedicated brother and Treasurer of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, earning the Frank G. Umstead Outstanding Kappa Sigma Award.

Upon graduation, Hank was commissioned as a regular officer in the U.S. Navy, serving on active duty from 1968 to 1972. He served as gunnery and fire control officer on the destroyer USS Manly DD-940, and later as weapons officer, chief engineer, and operations officer on the destroyer escort USS Courtney DE 1021. In July 1970, Hank and Bobbie were married in Pink Hill, NC. As newlyweds, they shared the adventure of a lifetime, living in Italy for two years during the Courtney’s extended deployment in the Mediterranean Sea. His love for the Navy remained a vital part of his life, reflected in his long-term membership in the Naval War College Foundation.

Following his active naval service, Hank and Bobbie returned to Chapel Hill so Bobbie could finish her pharmacy degree and Hank could pursue law. He graduated with honors in 1975, having served as Administrative Editor of the UNC Law Review and was inducted into the prestigious Order of the Coif.

Hank and Bobbie returned home to Charlotte, where Hank joined the law firm of Parker Poe—the place he would proudly call his professional home for his entire career. Hank guided the firm through a period of historic growth as its Managing Partner from 1986 to 2002, and continued his leadership as General Counsel from 2002 until his retirement in 2017. He was widely recognized by his peers, earning spots in Best Lawyers in America, North Carolina’s Legal Elite, and as a North Carolina Super Lawyer.

Hank’s commitment to the legal community extended far beyond his firm. He served as General Counsel to the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and spent 15 years on the Board of Directors for the UNC Law Alumni Association, serving as its President and receiving its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. He was a Life Member of the UNC General Alumni Association and served on the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Visitors from 2012 to 2016.

Hank was profoundly dedicated to the regulation and ethics of his profession. From 1997 to 2005, he was a Mecklenburg County Councilor to the North Carolina State Bar, chairing both the Ethics and Authorized Practice Committees. He entered the State Bar leadership circle as an officer in 2005, culminating in his term as President from 2007 to 2008.

His state and national contributions were extensive: he served as a delegate to the American Bar Association House of Delegates, chaired the NC IOLTA Board of Trustees, and served on the State Bar Disciplinary Hearing Commission. A life member of the American Bar Association Foundation, Hank was also instrumental in establishing the permanent North Carolina State Bar headquarters building in Raleigh, co-chairing the capital campaign for the building dedicated in 2013. In February 2026, the State Bar honored his lifetime of integrity with the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award.

From his earliest years, Hank was a passionate student of history and deeply proud of his Presbyterian heritage, which traced back to ancestors who settled in Virginia and Mecklenburg County before the Revolutionary War. He brought this passion to life by serving on the May 20th Society Board of Advisors and taking meaningful trips to historical battlefields. He walked the grounds where his forefathers fought in the American Revolution and the Civil War, and traveled to Europe to trace the footsteps of his father, who served with distinction in World War II with the 30th (Old Hickory) Infantry Division.

Closer to home, Hank honored his family's daily legacy. In 1946, his father and Jim Whittington founded Hankins Whittington Funeral Directors. From 1982 until his passing, Hank served as the general partner of Hankins Whittington Realty Ltd., ownwer of the Dilworth funeral facility. To Hank, this historic building was a beautiful, living monument to the hard work and legacy of his parents and the Whittingtons.

Outside of work, Hank enjoyed bird hunting excursions with his brother Ron and other friends. In between hunting trips, he looked forward to honing his skills shooting skeet, particularly with his granddaughter Maggie. He welcomed any opportunity to spend time at his log cabin on Nile Road near the New River in Allegheny County, NC.

Hank poured his time into his community and faith. He was a Trustee Emeriti of Queens University of Charlotte and a deeply active, longtime member of Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church, where he served faithfully as a deacon, elder, and Sunday School teacher. Hank was a scholar of the Bible and during his final weeks, his deep faith sustained him.

Service and Memorial Information

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in Hank’s honor to:

• Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church (2929 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte, NC 28209)
• InReach (4014 Monroe Rd. – Bldg. 4 – Suite 170, Charlotte, NC 28205)

Visitation: The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Home (1111 East Blvd.).

Funeral Service: A celebration of Hank’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church (2929 Selwyn Ave.), with a reception immediately following. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be available to stream online via the church’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SAPCPCUSA).

Graveside Service: A graveside service will take place at 3:00 PM on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at Forest Lawn West.