Jenny R. Hancock

Jenny R. Hancock, 69, of Knobel died Monday, May 19, 2008, at NEA Baptist Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Hancock was widely known for her work as the Emergency 911 coordinator for Clay County. She took the position in June 1995, and served until her death. She was the first person to hold the position in the county.

She was instrumental in initiating, and heading, the committee to bring the 911 program to Clay County. Hancock began working with what would become the 911 program in its earliest stages, including finding residential buyers to cover the cost of purchasing signs for the numerous county roads. This step was crucial, as the vast majority of the rural roads in the county had no markers at the time.

"She was the one who got all that going," Clay County judge Gary Howell said. "She got out and sold signs and did everything she could to get our 911 system in place. She made it possible."

Hancock also worked closely with the emergency crews in the county in an effort to gain access to federal and state grants.

"Jenny worked with all 10 fire departments in the county," Howell said. "She helped them get grants in order to buy the equipment they needed. She was the one who worked with the departments and helped them find out about what money was available, like Act 833. She worked with me when I became judge and introduced me to the people at ADEM (Arkansas Department of Emergency Management). That helped us get a lot of the grants we've had since then. If there was anything that could help the county, she was involved in it. She worked diligently for the people."

She was born the daughter of Frank Robbins and Henrietta (Robb) West on May 3, 1939 in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She was a member of Red Hat Society of Southern Attitude in Piggott and enjoyed gardening and being with her grandchildren. She was of the Christian faith.

On Jun. 14, 1958, she was united in marriage to Bobby Hancock in Paragould. He preceded her in death on Oct. 19, 2004.

Survivors include her mother, Henrietta West of Knobel; son Floyd and wife Teresa Hancock of Stuttgart; daughters June Hancock of Jonesboro and Rose Ann Hancock of Knobel; brothers Dennis and wife Arlene West of Dallas, and Eddie and wife Nancy West of West Memphis; sister Margaret and husband John Davison of Branson, Mo.; grandchildren Logan and Alisha Hancock of Stuttgart; several nieces and nephews; and a large extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband; step-father Dennis West, and maternal grandparents Henry and Delcie Robb, who raised her.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Ermert Funeral Home in Corning. Service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Ermert Funeral Home. Burial will be at Hosea Cemetery in Knobel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Knobel Cemetery Assoc., P.O. Box 129, Knobel, AR 72435.