Bishop Charles Thomas Hanchey

Charles Thomas Hanchey, 81, entered the presence of the Lord on December 2, 2025, at his home in Ellisville, Mississippi. He was born on November 23, 1944, in Oberlin, Louisiana, to Augustus Hanchey and Beatrice Vogel Fuller. Bishop Hanchey was preceded in death by his parents and by his sister, Cathy Clark. He is survived by his devoted wife, Doris Maples Hanchey; his son, Charles “Chuck” Hanchey, Jr., and daughter-in-law, Kimber Ogden; his grandchildren, Savannah Day, Sierrah Nguyen, and Seth Cole Hanchey; and a host of spiritual sons and daughters whose lives were forever shaped by his ministry, mentorship, and fatherly love. Bishop Hanchey faithfully served in full-time ministry for more than 56 years, building over a dozen churches and conducting extensive missionary work in the Philippine Islands, where he also founded multiple congregations. In January 2000, he fulfilled a lifelong calling when he came to Laurel, Mississippi, to establish a multiracial, grace-centered church—Christ’s Church of Laurel. Through his leadership, he raised up spiritual sons and daughters who now serve in ministry across Jones County and around the world. He became a spiritual father and Bishop to Pastors Jason & Sirlene Capers here at Christ’s Church of Laurel and to Pastors Caleb & Pam Semien and the congregation of Word Ministries in Eunice, Louisiana, as well as to many others. He also oversaw the founding of Dying to Live Ministries, paving the way for recovery ministries firmly rooted in the local church. Bishop Hanchey boldly confronted prejudice and the racial divides of our region, establishing a congregation where people of every background could worship together in the unity of the Spirit. He often said, “Racist people will not be happy in heaven or hell.” A master preacher and teacher, Bishop Hanchey was a pastor to pastors and a true shepherd to God’s people. He lived the gospel of grace that he proclaimed—extending mercy, compassion, and friendship to all, often at personal cost. Regardless of how others treated him, he loved them and called them friend. He always chose grace. Only eternity will reveal the full number of lives transformed through his preaching, his counsel, and the love of God expressed through his heart as a pastor. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 5, from 6:00–8:00 PM at Christ’s Church of Laurel. The Homegoing Celebration will take place on Saturday, December 6, at 11:00 AM at Christ’s Church of Laurel. A graveside service will follow at Lake Park Hills Cemetery in Laurel, Mississippi. A repast will be held afterward in the Family Life Center at Christ’s Church of Laurel. Bishop Charles T. Hanchey leaves behind a legacy of grace, unity, and unwavering devotion to the call of God—one that will continue to shape generations to come. To view or sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Bishop Charles Thomas Hanchey

November 23, 1944 - December 2, 2025