Molly Lu Hannas

Molly Lu Hannas
February 18, 2022
Tybee Island, Georgia - Molly Lu Hannas (68) passed away Friday, February 18th on Tybee Island, Georgia surround by her family after a courageous two-and-a-half-year battle against cancer.
Molly was born in Sentinel, Oklahoma on July 18, 1953 to Dr. R.R. and Lucy Hannas. The Hannas family moved to Kansas City in 1964. Molly was graduated from Southwest High School in 1971 and from Macalester College in 1975. She also earned her Masters Degree in English Literature from Northwest Missouri State College.
Molly was a champion tennis player and teaching professional. She was ranked number 71 in the World, and played against tennis greats, including Chris Evert. Molly was Head Pro at the Mission Hills Country Club and held teaching and managerial roles at the Overland Park Racquet Club.
Molly and Phyllis Spencer established and operated the Willis-Elliot Apple Orchard in Spickard, Missouri. During the 1990's the orchard had over 2,000 apple trees. During her years with the orchard, Molly also earned her Masters degree and taught high school English in Jamesport, Missouri.
In 2001, Molly and Phyllis moved to Tybee Island, Georgia. She continued her teaching career at both Beach High School and Early College High School in Savannah, Georgia. She continued her love of tennis in developing and coaching tennis teams at both schools, leading them to State Championship Competitions.
Molly received many honors during her teaching career including 2017 Teacher of the Year at Savannah Early College, WTOC Top Teacher Award, 2016 STAR High School Teacher Award, and the SECHS Tennis Coach and Education Award. Molly retired from teaching in 2018.
During her 20 plus years on Tybee, Molly developed strong ties to the community and residents. She was especially proud of her work with Forever Tybee, and her success founding the Tybee Observers program. She expressed her love for the Tybee Community and friendships through her photography. Molly was a huge fan of the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Chiefs.
Molly was preceded in death by her parents Dr. R.R. Hannas, Jr. (2005), Lucy Hannas (2019), her sister Margaret (1949), and brothers Mike (2018), and Andrew (2009). Molly is survived by her brother Jake (Carol) Hannas of Overland Park, Kansas, her sister Polly (Jon) Silverman of Lorton, Virginia and Phyllis Spencer of Tybee Island, Georgia.
Molly and Family thank Savannah Hospice for their care during Molly's final days. A Visitation service was held on Whitemarsh Island near Tybee. Contributions may be made in Molly's memory to The Make A Wish Foundation.

Graveside memorial services will be held Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. at Edinburg Cemetery west of Trenton, Missouri under the direction of Slater-Neal Funeral Home, Trenton, MO.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Molly Lu Hannas, please visit our floral store.