Dama E. Hanks, May 31,1922- August 8, 2022
Dama Eloise Hanks, of Vero Beach, passed away August 8, 2022, with her family by her side. A remarkable and dearly loved lady, Dama was "100 years young". She was born in Austin, Texas, on May 31, 1922 to John William and Luella Howe Ivy, and like others of "the greatest generation" she witnessed historic events and remarkable changes in society. She spent her pre-high school years in Galveston, Marshall, Paris & Kilgore, Texas, and graduated from Kilgore High School & attended classes at Kilgore Junior College. Her late siblings were Frank Ivy, John Ivy, & Hazel Paine; all four were blessed with beautiful spirits and movie-star good looks, creativity and love of life!
Dama became a Navy wife when she married the late Louis Frank Hanks in 1953, whose post-War Navy duties eventually took the family to Port Hueneme & Oxnard, California, where he retired. After their four children were all in school, she spent the next 18 years on the editorial staff of the Oxnard Press Courier, where she excelled in all aspects of journalism- reporting, writing, editing and photography. As a fledgling editor of the Port Hueneme Pilot, she covered everything from council meetings to closing down the "card rooms", to riding with the police at night to get a first hand report. She did everything including laying out the paper to taking photographs, from local football games to crime scenes. When the Pilot merged with the Courier, she became Editor of the Young Americans page and The Port Hueneme Pilot page. She was a thoroughly modern woman, raising 4 children and being successful in a wonderful career, as well as participating in and leading community organizations. She believed in community service and strongly supported public education.
Dama and Louis lived in California for 47 years before moving to Vero Beach, Florida in 2003, joining their son Mark & his family, and buying a home in Walker's Glen. Dama soon started writing a monthly neighborhood newsletter and continued to do so for 10 years. She loved her neighbors in Walker's Glen and so enjoyed living in Florida, especially sitting out back by the pool, watching the clouds and wildlife passing by. They continued to stay in touch with dear friends from California and elsewhere, many who visited them here in Vero, including the family's 1970 foreign exchange student from Sweden, Dr. Soren Berg & his family; long time "honorary son" John Holmes of Washington, D,C, , and Texas nephews Bill & Bobby Hanks.
Although she received many honors and recognitions during her years in California, Dama was most proud of their four children and their families: James M. Hanks, Colorado City ( & late wife Sue Harmon ); Dama Lou (Hanks) Brener ( & late husband Roland Brener ) Victoria, British Columbia; Mark Stephen Hanks, who very sadly passed away June 29th, 2022, & wife, Dianne, Vero Beach; and Robert Howe Hanks, Vero Beach. Also, grandchildren: Todd Hanks, Michael Hanks, Matthew Hanks, Amy Brener, Emily Hanks, Mia Hanks, Leland Hanks and Anna Hanks Jagolinzer; Great grandchildren: Elizabeth Hanks, Katie Hanks, John Henry Hanks, Tyler Hanks, Veronica Bond, Alyssa Rose Pingel and on July 27th, Louis Roland Regelmann; Also Great Great Grandchildren: Olivia and Wolfgang Acosta, and Vanna Hamilton.
Dama wrote 'My greatest relief will be in knowing that our precious children and grandchildren, will not grieve, but realize how blessed I was to be here for so long with such a fantastic "bunch" of people. God bless you all. I'll see you later."
Until then, "Pretty Lady", and our dearest Mother.
A celebration of life will be held later in the fall in Vero Beach.
Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit Dama's memorial page at
www.coxgiffordseawinds.com
