Titus Sanford Michael Hankins – passed away on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 6:34 p.m. He was only 19 months old. In his all-too-brief time in this world, Titus made a massive impact. It’s no overstatement to say that everyone who encountered Titus was smitten with him. His love and joy were infectious, and everyone who met Titus was overwhelmed by his spirit.
Titus loved French fries. Potatoes were—with no close competition—his favorite food, and he would eat them for every meal if given the chance. While fries were his preferred potato product, he was also fond of mashed potatoes, tater tots, and potato chips. He was a music fan from the start. One of his very favorite toys as a newborn was a little radio that played classical music. He never stopped playing with it. He played with it so much that he eventually wore it out, and his parents had to buy a second one; he refused to be without it. His favorite song was “Wheels on the Bus,” but he also enjoyed listening to rock music with his father. They would often put on a favorite album and dance around the living room together. Titus didn’t only like to listen to music; he also wanted to make music. He loved playing with his toy guitars and pianos. He also loved strumming his dad’s guitar whenever he had the chance or sitting in his grandmother’s lap to pick out a tune on the big piano.
Titus was incredibly close to his mother. He loved playing with her, especially at the swimming pool. He became very fond of the pool and wanted to spend most summer days splashing and playing in the water. Because his mom is a gifted swimmer, she was able to begin teaching him to swim very early in his life. Titus and his mom played with toys and games together too, and she helped him learn as they played. A few months into his life, she began teaching him sign language, which he used to communicate his wants and needs before he became vocal. As he started to use words, he continued to sign as well. From the beginning, he was an excellent communicator. Whenever Titus was upset, lonely, or afraid, he would call out for his “Mama,” and she would always be able to comfort him with a cuddle or a song. He was very cuddly with his mother.
Often, Titus would help his dad with his work. He enjoyed sitting on his dad’s lap and helping him work on the computer. Titus was also a frequent special guest on video conferences with his father’s colleagues. Everyone loved when he would make an appearance. Titus also helped his father carry out his priestly vocation as an elder in the United Methodist Church. He was a constant presence at church, coming up to the altar or pulpit to be with his dad as he led worship, preached, and celebrated the sacraments. One of Titus’s favorite duties in the worship service was to receive the offering. He always carried the little collection plate with reverence and care. Titus enjoyed his story time each evening. His favorite books included “Don’t Push the Button,” “Little Blue Truck,” and “Goodnight God.” He would sit in his father’s lap as he read the story while mom turned the pages. Mom and Dad would help Titus act out the stories as they read them together. Titus got a big kick out of this. As time went on, he would get excited about his favorite parts, often beginning to act them out before the story even got there.
Titus had a special relationship with his grandparents, too. When his “Grammy and Grandad” took care of him, getting some French fries on the way to their house was a sure thing. This was very exciting for Titus. At Grammy and Grandad’s, he played with a very loving Boxer dog named Callie. She began to think of him as one of her pups, which meant she wanted to lick him quite a bit. Titus had mixed feelings about this. Titus’s paternal grandmother, or “Grandma” as she liked to be called, was also his daycare provider. He loved playing with toys, swinging, taking walks, and helping Grandma cook. He would get so excited when it was time to go to Grandma’s that he would try to pick up his diaper bag (which was nearly as tall as him) and drag it to the door. He knew a hot buttered pancake and a day full of fun were waiting and didn’t want to waste a moment.
Titus always wanted to help out around the house. Whether he was bringing your shoes to you or trying to grab a broom to sweep up a mess, he wanted to be involved in whatever needed to be done. Titus was very tender-hearted and sweet. He loved to give hugs and high-fives. He waved at every stranger he passed. Once, on a trip to the mall, he refused to stay inside the store while his dad picked up a purchase. Instead, he pulled his mother out into the main walkway so he could wave and offer high fives to all the passersby. Every time he and his parents went outside, he would look to the right to see if the next-door neighbor, Glenn, was out. Sometimes he would already have a wave and “Hi!” ready to go, and he’d end up greeting an empty chair. Everyone who had the immense pleasure of meeting Titus knows what a light he was in this world. His flame was extinguished too early, and the world is dimmer without him.
Obituaries usually end with a list of the “survivors” left behind by the deceased person. In this case, the word “survive” is especially poignant. Those who love Titus are surviving—by the grace of God—and that is all we can do. We survive and do our best to keep the faith as we hope for the resurrection of the dead, and the everlasting life promised in the age to come. Titus leaves behind his loving parents, Kristin and Timothy Hankins; paternal grandmother, Debbie Hankins; maternal grandparents, Rhonda and Michael Loy; aunts, Melanie Simpson, Melissa Hankins, Bethany Hankins, and Heidi Hankins; uncles, Michael Wells and Steve Simpson; cousins, Emma and Caroline Simpson, Avonlea and River Wells; and many friends around the world who knew and loved him dearly.
Titus was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Dennis Hankins.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 5, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at Church Street United Methodist Church with receiving of friends to follow immediately. A graveside service will be offered on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Eastview Memorial Gardens. The Reverends Timothy Best and Isaac Collins will officiate at all services. Bridges Funeral Home is handling the arrangements, and flowers may be sent to the funeral home. Those who wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers may donate to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in memory of Titus. The family wishes to thank the caring staff at ETCH, who treated Titus with love and respect throughout his stay with them. The family wishes to particularly acknowledge Chelsey, who cared for Titus as if he were her own.To our darling boy, you are the light of our lives and the joy of our hearts. We will carry you with us forever and love you eternally. Arrangements by Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, 865-523-4999. www.bridgesfuneralhome.com
March 31 2021 November 24 2022
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Titus Sanford Michael Hankins March 31 2021 November 24 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Knoxville, Province: T-N