Lucy Louella “Lou” Gerrells Hanson

Lucy Louella “Lou” Hanson, 92, of Gainesville passed away Monday, January 20, 2020 after a period of declining health. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with interment to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Reverend Brian West will officiate. The family will receive friends on Sunday January 26, 2020 one hour prior to the funeral service.

Born on August 22, 1927 in Cleveland, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late William Sumpter Gerrells and Callie Allison Gerrells. After graduating high school in Lumpkin County, she married Goodman Hughes Moore Jr, who fathered her three children. Lou’s fondness of Dahlonega, spurred her to become a pioneer of the local tourism industry. She is credited with assisting with the first annual Gold Rush Festival, and participated in the mule train that transported Dahlonega gold for the Capitol Dome in Atlanta. 

In 1962, Louella married 2nd Lt. Thomas Wesley Hanson. Following their marriage, the couple was reassigned to Columbia, which allowed Louella to broaden her horizons and travel extensively across South America.

Today, her legacy spans from coast to coast and over three generations. She took great pleasure in gardening and caring for her family, and found a purpose through volunteer work at Northeast Georgia Medical Center and her church. She lived the remainder of her years surrounded by her loving family.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Hanson is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Wesley Hanson and her ten siblings. Mrs. Hanson is survived by her daughter, Priscilla Hennessey and James King of St. Simons, Georgia; son and daughter in law, Goodman Hughes (Butch) and Nancy Moore of Gainesville, Georgia; son and daughter in law Van and Marcie Moore of Buford, Georgia; sister, Mary Palmer of Stone Mountain; grandchildren, John Hennessey, Kelly Schmidt, Sean Hennessey, Patrick Hennessey, Timothy Hennessey, Thomas Moore, Elizabeth Moore, Brian West, Kelly West, Erika Moore, Wykeman Moore; 13 great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com