Verlen Hannah, 78, of Murphy, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, in a Murphy hospital.
Verlen was a native of Bessemer City, where he lived until age 21.
He retired as a major after 23½ years with the United States Army, followed by 5½ years with the National Guard. During his military career, Verlen lived in Germany on two different occasions, Korea and Fort Gordon, Ga., near Augusta, before moving to Murphy in 1993.
Verlen was of the Baptist faith.
He was the son of the late Wenzlow Donald and Pearlee Weaver Hannah, and the husband of 57 years to Amanda Jane James Hannah, who died Nov.12, 2018. He also was preceded in death by a son, Richard Scott Hannah; a sister, Betty Lou Mitchem; and two brothers, Grady and Donald Hannah.
Surviving are a daughter, Susan Lee Hannah and husband Steven Goldberg of Evans, Ga.; two sons, Stephen Mark Hannah and wife Margaret of Apex and Jason Keith Hannah and wife Mitzi of Martinez, Ga.; two sisters, Janice Arrowood and husband Danny of Seneca, S.C., and Yvonne Blackwood of Bessemer City; two brothers, Jerry Hannah and wife Faye of Hollywood, Fla., and David Hannah of Bessemer City; six grandchildren and a step-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, with the Rev. Edward Carter officiating. The interment will be in Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by Murphy American Legion Post 96, Hayesville VFW Post 6812, and Hayesville American Legion Post 532. The 82nd Sustainment Brigade Honors Team will serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends from noon-1:45 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, prior to the services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Verlen Hannah to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org/donate.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.