Sgt. Major Doyle LaFayette Hancock, 81, of Jonesboro died Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at the family residence.

He was born in Myrtle, Miss., and had lived in Jonesboro for the past 12 years and was formerly of Memphis.

He was a retired Sgt. Major for the U.S. Marines serving in World War II special forces and the Korean War, retired supervisor for the Memphis Light Gas and Water and of the Baptist faith.

Sgt. Hancock was preceded in death by his first wife, Eulafaye Hensley Hancock; one son, Tim Hancock; one sister, Martha Dale Clayton and his parents, William Doyle and Jamie Gunter Hancock and his step-father, Charles M. Harlan.

He is survived by his wife, Genevieve Bushong Hancock of the home; daughter; Debbie Sparks and Norman of Knoxville, Tenn.; step-daughter, Regina D. Young of Jonesboro; son, Gary and wife Shelia Hancock of Memphis; step-sons, John and Stacy Burgett of Memphis, Larry D. Lister of Knoxville, Tenn., and Tony Eugene Lister of Conroe, Tex.; step-sisters: Bonnie Mixon and Betty Wallace both of Trumann; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and special friends, Menda Bushong, Bud and Wanda Stahl, Jimmy and Pam Nichols, Pat and Pam Arnault, Dutch Green and wife, Dr. Scott Dickson, Joe Taylor and all the staff and therapist at St. Bernard's Medical Center.

Graveside services were Tuesday, May 27 at the West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Memphis, Tenn., with Rev. James Bud Stahl officiating. Burial was under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann.

Pallbearers were the Marine Guard.

Honorary pallbearers were John Hancock Jr., James Hancock, Jared Sparks, Jason Sparks, John Burgett, Dr. Scott Dickson, Larry Lister, Tony Lister, Travis Young, Jimmy Nichols, Pat Arnault and Dutch Green.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

An online register book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net