Earl Hankton Jr

Earl Hankton, Jr., a retired United States Post Office Manager, went home to be with the Lord and Savior on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at the age of 72. Earl Hankton, Jr. was born on November 22, 1949 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was the only child born to the union of Earl Sr. and Louise Jackson Hankton. Earl received his formal education in the Orleans Parish Public School System. Earl graduated from George Washington Carver High School, the “Mighty Rams” in 1967. Earl met the love of his life and longtime companion, Carolyn Ann Esteen in 1965. They were united in holy matrimony on December 14, 1968. To this union was born their four children Chanda, Christy, Earl III and LaMonica. Earl obtained employment as a United States Postal Service employee in 1970 where he remained until his retirement in 2002. Earl became an official member of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, Inc. in March of 1987. In the summer of 1996 Earl won the character election to be Zulu’s 1997 Witch Doctor. In 2011 he was inducted into the Zulu Hall of Fame and in 2017 Earl became an honorary life member. Earl was a much-loved role model that lived life to the fullest and was an energetic light in any room he entered. He was devoted entirely to his family as a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and beloved friend. He exuded a character of mentorship and was always willing to provide wonderful guidance, which made him a trusted confidant. Earl was a man of strong faith and a true believer in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was a member of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. After being displaced by Hurricane Katrina, Earl and his wife Carolyn relocated to Grand Prairie, Texas where he attended and served faithfully as a member of New Life Bible Fellowship Church and later attended Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church. Earl truly lived by his favorite Bible verse “…humility comes before honor” Proverbs 18:12. Earl leaves to cherish his loving memories to his wife, Carolyn Esteen Hankton; four children - Chanda Hankton, Christy Hankton Price (Gregory), Earl Hankton III (Hector), and LaMonica Hankton; five grandchildren - Gregory Torrence, Ceairra Price, Teyana Harness, Chanel Harness, and Cayla Price; three sister-cousins - Rosemary Martin (Dominic), Lois Lockhart, and Catherine Riley (Rickie); one dog - Sonny Bear and four grand dogs - Catie, Harley, Lola, and Sadie; and a host of endearing cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Earl Sr., and Louise Jackson Hankton, and one brother-cousin-in-law Rev. Stephen Lockhart. Family, Pastors, Officers and Members of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Life Bible Fellowship Church, U.S. Postal Services, Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club and friends are invited to attend the home going celebration on January 14, 2022. Viewing is from 9 -10 am and service starts at 10:00 am at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church., 8282 I-10 Service Road South, New Orleans, Louisiana 70126, Reverend Fred Luter, Jr, Senior Pastor. Marlon J. Coleman, Antioch Temple of Hope Church, Muskogee, OK, Lead Pastor Officiant. Internment Mt. Olivet Cemetery. D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please visit to sign the online guest book. The family respectfully requests that face masks be worn at the Visitation and the funeral services.