Dr. Selma Anne Hancock, a distinguished educator, public servant, and community leader, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026 after a lifetime devoted to education, public service, and community involvement. A native of Greenwood, South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late James William Hancock, Sr. and Ada Chastain Hancock. Dr. Hancock was born and reared in Greenwood and returned to her hometown in 2009 following a remarkable professional career that spanned nearly five decades.
A 1957 graduate of Greenwood High School, Dr. Hancock earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Coker College in Hartsville, South Carolina. She later received her Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership, an Ed.S., and an M.B.E. from Georgia State University and completed post-doctoral studies at Harvard University. In recognition of her accomplishments, Coker College awarded her an honorary doctorate. She was also honored as the first woman academician named an Honorary Alumnus of Clemson University in 1982 and received the Wade Woodward Award for outstanding contributions to the university, along with the Clemson Athletic Department’s Super Tiger Award.
Dr. Hancock devoted nearly 50 years to education as a professor, administrator, speaker, and advocate for educational reform. During her career she inspired countless students and colleagues with her commitment to excellence and her belief that education should serve both individuals and communities. A nationally recognized speaker, she delivered more than 450 speeches, seminars, and workshops in 44 states and abroad, sharing her message of leadership, service, and civic engagement.
Her expertise and leadership were recognized at the national level. In 1989, President George H. W. Bush appointed her to the Presidential Commission on Student Financial Aid, where she was the only two-year college educator in the nation to serve on the commission. In 1990 she took leave from her position at DeKalb College in Atlanta to serve as Deputy to Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander.
In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed Dr. Hancock as the U.S. Department of Education’s Regional Representative for the Southeast. In this role, she served as the Secretary of Education’s envoy and spokesperson, representing federal education policies and initiatives throughout the largest region of the department. She worked extensively with the administration’s landmark education legislation, the No Child Left Behind Act, and served for eight years in the administration.
Prior to this appointment, Dr. Hancock was President and Founding Partner of A. Hancock & Associates in Atlanta, an educational consulting and motivational speaking firm. During her 42 years in Atlanta, she was widely active in civic and community affairs and was named one of the “Super 17 Citizens of Atlanta” by Turner Broadcasting Systems. She also received the Big Heart Award for humanitarian efforts on behalf of Georgia’s citizens, resolutions from both the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives for her contributions to education, and recognition as a “Gracious Lady of Georgia” for her cultural contributions to the state.
After returning to Greenwood, Dr. Hancock remained deeply involved in her community. She served as President of the Republican Women of Greenwood County and on the Executive Board of the South Carolina Federation of Republican Women. She was also active in numerous civic and charitable organizations, including serving as Vice Chair of the Food Bank Board, Chair of the United Center Board, President of the Unit One Garden Club, a member of the State United Way Board, a member of the John de la Howe Board of Directors, a member of the Milford Manor Homeowners Board of Directors, and President of the Magnolia Cemetery Association.
A devoted woman of faith, Dr. Hancock was an active member of First Baptist Church in Greenwood, where she served as a Sunday School teacher and Chair of the Worship Committee.
In addition to her parents, Dr. Hancock was preceded in death by her brother, James William “Bill” Hancock.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Frances Croft Hancock of Rock Hill, South Carolina; nephew James William Hancock, III of Rock Hill; niece, Deanna Katherine Hancock (Tyler Sandifer) of Arvada, Colorado, two great nephews, James Cole Hancock (Samantha) of LeMars, Iowa and Justice Lee Hancock of Rock Hill, South Carolina; great great nephew James Barrett Hancock and her cousin, Norma Woodle Hopkins of Greenwood, South Carolina.
Dr. Hancock was widely admired for her intelligence, wit, and gift for storytelling. Through her work as an educator, speaker, and public servant, she inspired generations to pursue excellence and to work for the betterment of their communities.
The family will receive friends on Monday, April 6, 2026 from 6:00PM – 8:00PM at Blyth Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church in Greenwood on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 2:00PM with the Rev. John Uldrick officiating.
Burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, 810 Maxwell Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to The First Baptist Church of Greenwood, 722 Grace Street, Greenwood, SC 29649.