Stella Mae Hankins

Stella Hankins, 78, passed on July 8, 2023, due to stroke in Gilbert, Arizona in hospice care.

Born January 25, 1945, in Little Rock, Arkansas to Cordelia Nash, better known as “Madear”. After high school, Stella went on to become a wife and mother to three daughters, Beverly, Lula and Rita.

Professionally, Stella enjoyed life on the road as a truck driver, making multiple cross-country trips in the US. She had many unique and crazy stories about her adventures while trucking.

In 2000, Stella moved from Tennessee to California to live with her youngest daughter, Rita and her, then two, eventually three, grandchildren. In 2009, she moved, with her family, to Arizona where she lived until her passing.

Stella was a practicing Jehovah’s Witness who enjoyed spreading the Word with her Brothers and Sisters, loved her daughters, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren, along with any of the children who crossed her path, being a true grandma or Madea to whomever she could. Her hobbies included fishing, bingo, gardening, watching westerns and Perry Mason, cooking and causing trouble whenever she could.

Stella was predeceased by her daughters Beverly and Lula, her husband and her brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter Rita, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren, who are scattered through the United States.

Services will be held at Bunker Family Funeral Home, the University Chapel at 3529 E University Dr., Mesa, AZ on Monday, July 17, 2023 from 6PM to 8PM.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.