FRANCIS GILES HANNA

Francis Giles Hanna was born Oct. 1, 1959, in Sumter, South Carolina, to the late Susan Giles Hanna and Francis C. Hanna. He departed this earthly life peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at Sumter East Health and Rehabilitation Center. Francis attended St. Jude Catholic School in Sumter and was a proud member of the Class of 1978. He continued his education at Morris College, where he studied Business Administration, graduating in 1982.

Francis developed a love for music at an early age. Although his mother was a music teacher, Francis learned to play a lot of instruments on his own, and the bass guitar became “The One” he would grow to love and cherish. Francis and his friends formed a band in 1976 while in high school known as “High Voltage.” Then in the early ’90s, he became a member of Prime Tyme, with which he enjoyed touring and playing music all over the United States. From September 1994 until January 2017, Francis worked at Seaco Music as an audio engineer and also gave guitar lessons, teaching those who wanted to learn the art of playing the guitar. He worked until his health started to decline and retired.

Francis was known to many as a fun, loving, comical person who was loved and touched many hearts. Known as the “Music Man” to some and “Hanna Banana” to others, he loved good food, was a great storyteller and enjoyed having a good time with family and friends. Francis knew and loved “music” from playing on his guitar to working the sound boards to his knowledge of the entertainment world. Known throughout the Sumter community, he had a kind heart and spirit. He lived a simple and humble life. Above all, he was the coolest, best true friend a person could ever ask for in their life. Francis Hanna truly was Sumter’s best bass guitarist and a legend who will never be forgotten.

Francis leaves to cherish his precious memory: the Hanna family, the Taylor and Giles family, numerous devoted loving friends, classmates and the entire music and Sumter community.

My place was ready to be in Heaven far above, and that is why I had to leave behind all those I deeply and dearly loved.
In accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines, the family is requesting no visitation.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 23, 2024, in John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel of Williams Funeral Home, 821 N. Main St., Sumter, with the Rev. Dr. J. Elbert Williams, officiating, and the Rev. Joseph Ricks, eulogist.

The procession will leave from Sleep Inn, 2510 Broad St., Sumter, at 10:30 a.m.

Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.com.

Visit us on the web at www.WilliamsFuneralHomeInc.com.