A wave of community members, public servants, and admirers packed the Turner Chapel AME Church yesterday to honor and celebrate the late David Hankerson. He was not just your run-of-the-mill beuracrat, but a respected pioneer as Cobb County's first African-American County Manager and its longest tenured. The attendees, many of them current or former county employees, shared memories of the man affectionately nicknamed "Mister H." Hankerson passed away at 77 after battling a prolonged illness, leaving behind a legacy of transformation within the quiet suburb he helped evolve into a bustling metro hub.
Hankerson's journey with Cobb County spanned decades, and it was through his leadership that the area experienced substantial growth and change. He was remembered fondly for his leadership style which, according to Dr. Jackie McMorris, the current County Manager, was fair but formidable. "He was direct, he was straightforward, he was no-holds-barred, he was serious," she said to a nodding crowd. But it didn't stop there, as McMorris highlighted his softer side: "But he was also compassionate and passionate. He loved this county dearly."
It wasn't just about policies and progress on paper with Hankerson, he held a knack for making genuine connections with people from all walks of life. The sheer size of the gathering bore testament to that, with Lisa Cupid, the Board of Commissioners Chairwoman, observing that the diverse assembly was "a lot about his ability to reach across any spectrum and connect with people," a statement which underscores what could be Hankerson’s most lasting legacy.
The remembrance service was as much a communal grieving as it was a celebration of Hankerson's indelible impact on the county's trajectory. His professional path as an African-American trailblazer in the realm of local government stands as a beacon of hope and proof of progress in communities historically marred by segregation and racial inequality. His friends, colleagues, and those who succeeded him left Turner Chapel more resolved to carry forward the torch once borne by a man who steered his ship with a steady hand—through turbulent and calm waters alike.
