Mr. Michael James Hanson, Sr., 68, of Highway 17 South, Royston, passed away Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, GA.

Born on September 4, 1948 in Atlanta, GA, he was the son of the late John William Hanson and Ella Francis Wilborn Hanson.Mr. Hanson was a US Army Veteran, following his service in Vietnam, he went on to pastor both Blitchton Baptist Church in Blitchton, GA and Vann's Creek Baptist Church in Ruckersville, GA.While at Vann's Creek Baptist Church he served as a fulltime cottage parent for the GA Baptist Children's Home.He later served as a chaplain with Truckstop Ministries while he drove for J.B. Hunt Trucking Company. He also was a member of the Cornerstone Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife: Cathy Todd Hanson: one son: Michael Hanson (Jeri); one daughter: Elizabeth Jane Haselden (Fred) all of Dacula; three grandchildren: Alyssa Hanson, Anna Haselden and James Haselden; two brothers: Ben Hanson (Janice) of Gainesville, GA, Steve Hanson (Virginia) of Covington, GA; three sisters: Alice Winn of Lula, GA, Molly Hunt of Lawrenceville, GA and Susie Cochran (Ray) of Oxford, GA. Mr. Hanson was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Donald Hanson and Francis Jane Hanson.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at 1:30 pm at the Cornerstone Baptist Church with Rev. Terry Meeks and Rev. Ronnie Puckett officiating.Burial will be in the Holly Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening.The family is at the home.Flowers are optional, memorials may be made to the Cornerstone Baptist Church, 1543 Anderson Hwy., Hartwell, GA 30643.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.