Martha Pickering Gandy Hancock

Ms. Martha Pickering Gandy Hancock, 92, of Soso, Mississippi, passed away on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Asbury Hospice House in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Ms. Martha cherished her Christian faith and family. She was a devoted and faithful member of Soso First Baptist Church. Affectionately known as “Granny Gandy”, Ms. Martha was loved and adored by all who knew her. Her radiant smile was contagious, spreading joy to others. Ms. Martha was best known for her famous tea cakes, which were her ultimate expression of love. She was an excellent example of a Proverbs 31 woman. Ms. Martha’s humble testimony consisted of being hardworking, wise, and resourceful raising five Christian boys, while overcoming loss of close family members with grace. Ms. Martha was preceded in death by her parents Joseph Ransom Pickering and Genah Hill Pickering of Hebron, Mississippi; husbands Oyce Gandy, Buford Murray, and Doyle Hancock; her sister Betty Pickering Rollo of Marion, North Carolina; brother Dennis Pickering of Aiken, South Carolina; daughters-in-law Belinda Gardner Gandy of Soso, Mississippi, and Sylvia Blackmon Gandy of Sand Hill, Mississippi. Ms. Martha is survived by her five loving sons James Gandy (Vickie) of LaPorte, Texas; Milton Gandy of Soso, Mississippi; Frankie Gandy (Jennifer) of Sand Hill, Mississippi; Larry Gandy (Sherry) of Mize, Mississippi; and Raymond Gandy (Debbie) of McHenry, Mississippi. She is also survived by her adoring grandchildren Christopher Gandy of Reno, Nevada; Jeanna Gandy Cox (Kevin) of Ellisville, Mississippi; Jay Gandy (Laura) of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Kevin Gandy of Mendenhall, Mississippi; Wesley Gandy of Neely, Mississippi; Lucas Gandy (Aubree) of Mize, Mississippi; Lauren Gandy Gibbons (Joseph) of Sumrall, Mississippi; and Zachary Gandy of McHenry, Mississippi. Granny Gandy also leaves a host of great grandchildren to cherish her memory. Ms. Martha is also survived by her sisters Shirley Cope of Bushnell, Florida and Barbara Jackson of Lucasville, Ohio. For the last few years of Ms. Martha’s life, she resided at Summerland Manor Assisted Living in Bay Springs, Mississippi. The family would like to thank the dedicated, wonderful staff for their excellent care and loving support that they gave to “Mom” while she was a resident. Ms. Martha’s family would also like to thank the loving staff at Mississippi Care Center of Raleigh and at Asbury Hospice House for their kind care during her last days. Visitation will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025, followed by funeral services at 10 a.m., both at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel, MS. Burial will follow at Old Antioch Cemetery in Gitano, MS. Service will be officiated by Bishop Jeremy Smith and Steven Jefcoat. Pallbearers will be Lucas Gandy, Jay Gandy, Joseph Gibbons, Rylee Cormier, Kevin Cox, and Andrew Cox. Honorary pallbearers will be Kevin Gandy, Wesley Gandy, Christopher Gandy, and Zachary Gandy. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4 To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Martha Pickering Gandy Hancock

November 2, 1932 - April 7, 2025