Beverly May Hankins

Beverly May Hankins, 92, passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital in Sheridan, WY. Services will be held in Shell, WY on a later date.

Beverly May Brown was born in Worland, Wyoming on June 20, 1933, to Leona and Leland Brown. She was the youngest of five children and often shared fond memories of her time in Worland with siblings Thelma, Bud, Dee, and Jerry. When Bev was seventeen, young love swept her into the arms of Marvin Lewis Hankins. The two were married on February 3, 1951, and Bev moved to Greybull. She graduated from Greybull High School that spring. Soon, the couple had two daughters, Marva and Marjorie (Marj). The two girls were everything to their mom and she was an exceptional and devoted mother. 

From the time she was very young, Bev was passionate about dancing, costuming, productions, and the stage. She opened a dance studio with a friend, Georgia Coyne. The two women named their venture CoHan School of Dance and taught tap, jazz, and ballet. Marva, Marj, and Georgia’s daughter, Penny, danced for CoHan along with many other students. Bev not only designed and made all of the recital costumes but put on fashion shows and dance showcases for the community. The years with CoHan were very special to her. 

When her children were a bit older, Bev went to work at Probst Western Store in Greybull. Though enjoyable, the call to be a caregiver was obvious (to this day, her children and grandchildren fondly remember “Grandma B” as one of the best caregivers around). She became a CNA and worked for the Greybull Basin Clinic, pouring her heart into her patients every day. 

Over the years, Bev and Marv spent much time hunting on Horse Creek Mesa in the Big Horns and raising quarter horses on their property in Shell Valley. Alongside her handsome cowboy, Bev became quite the huntress and trapper; mule deer, elk, and black bear were among her trophies. In her mid-forties, Bev discovered a hidden talent of painting and produced many beautiful, award-winning pieces and other handmade leathercrafts. However, her gorgeous artwork paled in comparison to how much she loved her grandsons. Mitch, Dave, and JT were her pride and joy. Bev’s daughter, Marva, and son-in-law, Billy, sent the boys over the mountain from Sheridan to spend time in the summer with Grandma and Grandpa at “Ole’ Marv and Bev’s Place.” She loved to take care of those little boys, and the family will forever treasure the stories of the brothers’ time in Shell. During those years, Bev’s younger daughter, Marj, was fortunate to live in nearby Greybull and was her best girlfriend. They spent much of their free time together bowling, gambling, playing cards, shopping, and enjoying each other’s company. Those were truly Bev’s golden years.

As Bev and Marv advanced in age and needed more assistance, the family decided it would be best for them to move to Sheridan. In their Sheridan home, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren ran through the halls, played cards around their table, watched westerns, and were always well fed. Bev’s sense of humor, heart for animals, pride in her heritage, warm hospitality, and dedication to her family will be remembered forever. 

“Grandma B” passed peacefully in Sheridan, surrounded by loved ones, on June 7, 2026, just shy of her 93rd birthday. Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, Leona and Leland Brown; four siblings, Thelma (Thelma’s children: Bobby, Connie, and Shirley), Bud, Dee, and Jerry; her husband, Marvin; brothers-in-law, Howard, Ed, and Duane; her sweet dog, Porky; and her cat, Holly Jingle. Beverly is survived by her daughters, Marva (Billy) Craft and Marjorie (Craig) Smith; her grandsons, Mitch (Jules), Dave (Jennifer), and JT (Elizabeth) Craft; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, and even one great-great-grandson, Dean Poppell. 

A celebration of life will be held at the Shell Bar in Shell, Wyoming on August 8, 2026, from 2pm-5pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sheridan Dog and Cat Shelter (84 East Ridge Road, Sheridan, WY 82801). Online condolences may be made to www.sheridanfuneral.com. Arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.