Gareth "Buddy" Banello Hanna

Gareth Banello "Buddy" Hanna, 72, of Florence, peacefully entered into eternal rest on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at Carolinas Hospital System after a brief illness, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Mr. Hanna was born October 28, 1942 in Leo, SC, a son of the late Louis Bass Hanna and Iva Nell Eaddy Hanna. He attended Indiantown School where he graduated in 1960. He was a US Army veteran and worked for GTE Telephone Company, retiring after thirty years. He grew up and was taught about the Baby Jesus at Little Star Free Will Baptist Church and later joined Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Claussen where he sang in the adult choir, was a member of the Men of the Church and an ordained elder. He was a family man who loved all of his children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins, and adored his 'grandpuppy' Quinn, who enjoyed sharing biscuits with 'BoBo' nearly every morning. He was preceded in death by his parents; the true love of his life and wife, Sandra C. Hanna, and sons James Randolph Hanna and Timothy Ernest White. Surviving are his children, Kenneth (Martha) White, Jr., of Olanta, Amanda (Jeff) White Tracewell of Florence, Julie (Gerald) Atkinson of Johnsonville, Gregory Byron Hanna of Dallas, TX, and Susan (Joey) Gause of Londonderry, NH; grandchildren, Zachary White, Carly White, Kenneth Jacob White, Allen Joshua White, Ethan White, Griffin Tracewell, Bryson Tracewell, Rachel Atkinson, Joshua Atkinson, Alec Gause; one brother, Frank (Diana) Hanna of Harrah, OK; four sisters, Gereah Davis of Pelion, Trellis (Jamie) Nettles of Sullivan's Island, Patty (Ronald) Hoffmeyer and Annell Lee, both of Florence. In addition to family, Buddy leaves behind many dear friends, too numerous to count, that he thoroughly enjoyed visiting, talking and laughing with on a daily basis. Even when he became unable to talk, his eyes sparkled with joy, love and laughter until his last day. He was a gregarious soul whose humor, laughter and smiles touched all who knew him. Memorials may be made to Hopewell Presbyterian Church Choir in his honor. The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff of Carolinas Hospital Systems - SICU for their dignified, kind and gentle care for Mr. Hanna. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Hopewell Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Friday at the funeral home and other times at the home of his daughter, Amanda Tracewell. Please sign the tribute wall for Mr. Hanna at the obituary section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com.