Bishop Lionell Richard Hancock

Bishop Lionell Richard Hancock, 81, of Fort Mill, SC, died Tuesday March 15, 2011 at CMC University Hospital in Charlotte. Born December 22, 1929 in Huntington, West Virginia, he was a son of the late Russell Lamar Hancock and Marie Brown Hancock.He was raised in the Oneness doctrine in The Church of Jesus Christ which his father, Bishop R. L. Hancock founded 65 years ago. He was a Bishop of Jesus Christ Full Gospel Church and the founder of The Refuge Church of Jesus Christ. In his fifty years as a minister, Bishop Hancock traveled over the country preaching the gospel and pastoring several churches. A man of strong faith he was a Father figure to his entire Church family. His walk with the Lord was his life and The Word of God was his road map.Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 p.m. Saturday March 19 in the Chapel of Raymer Funeral Home with Pastor Michael Hedgecoe officiating.Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Charlotte. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.He leaves to cherish his memory his son, Lionell Richard Hancock, Jr; daughter, Elaine Bardwil; brother, Bishop H. P. Hancock; grandchildren, Kimberly Richardson, Rick, Brian and Michael Hancock, Allison Prim, Gary Benson, Brooke Sides and ten great grandchildren.In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Lee Hancock; daughters, Susan Irene Hancock, Sondra Marie Richardson; brothers, Lamar, Billy, Charles, Bobby and sisters, Loretta and Joan.