Mr. Berney Jack "B.J." Hand, age 76, of Hazlehurst, passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at his home under the care of Coastal Hospice. He made medical history being the longest surviving LVAD patient and the second person to ever receive one.

He was born on July 25, 1949, in Hazlehurst to the late Julius Berney Hand and Alma J. "Jackie" Wilson. He served in the United States Military during the Vietnam Era, with six years of service in the Navy and two years in the Air Force. He worked as a correctional officer in the Georgia Department of Corrections for 34 years. He was an avid thrifter and a member of the Jeff Davis County Veterans Association.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Benny E. Hand; his daughter, Rebecca Lynn Hand; and his grandson, Nick Hand.

Survivors include his wife, Diane W. Hand; his son, Michael "Mike" Hand (Sheila); his daughter, Alisha H. Page (Wade), all of Hazlehurst; his step-daughter, Shari W. Creswell (Jon) of Abbeville, SC; 17 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Wainright-Parlor Funeral Home with Wade Page officiating.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until just prior to the service.

Burial will follow in the Hazlehurst Memorial Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Keagan Sleigh, Levi Burns, Zack Vandegrift, Travis Haltiwanger, Harley Hand, and Nash Humphrey.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Jeff Davis County Veterans Association.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Jeff Davis County Veterans Association, 67 S. Cromartie St, Hazlehurst, Georgia 31539.

The family can be contacted at 58 E Jarman St. Hazlehurst, Georgia 31539.

Wainright-Parlor Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.