Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Harmony National Memorial Park

RESCHEDULED DATE FOR VIEWING & SERVICE Tuesday, January 23, 2024 Viewing 10am until time of service at 11am at Kalas Funeral Home, Oxon Hill, MD.


Gwendolyn Araminta Betancourt Hankerson was born in Washington, D.C. on February 6, 1946 to Monica Ritmond Betancourt and Jorge Luciano Betancourt who have preceded her in death.  She graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Howard University and a master’s degree in linguistics from Georgetown University.

Gwen married her beloved husband, Colonel Charlie E. Hankerson in 1985 and cherished their union until her death.  Joining their family were Charlie’s children Anita Lynn Hankerson, Leslie Annetta Hankerson, and Charles Edward Hankerson, III (Kenyata).  She is survived by her brother Grattan E. (Sonny) Betancourt (Evelyn), sisters Eleanor V. Horne and Juana A. Betancourt and preceded in death by sister Coralia Betancourt.  She is survived by her niece Monica E. Vaughn and nephews Jorge R. Betancourt (Aisha), and Dr. Anthony C. Betancourt.  Also mourning her are sisters-in-law Dorothy Hankerson and Mildred Hankerson Brown (Jim)and brother-in-law Oswald Hankerson and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

For decades Gwen taught Spanish at McKinley Technology and H.D. Woodson High Schools in Washington, D.C. and was very active in the Washington Teachers’ Union.  For 35 years she was an award-winning real estate agent first for Century 21 and then for Exit Landmark Realty.  

Gwen will be remembered as a loving wife, a caring sister, a generous soul, a supportive mentor, and a hard-working professional.  She will be long remembered and deeply missed.


The family encourages donations to the Alzheimer’s Association in lieu of flowers.  

Development Office
Alzheimer’s Association
225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17
Chicago, IL 60601

Copy and Paste the URL onto your browser down below.

https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=51079&51079.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=giving_google&s_subsrc=giving_google&gad_source=1 

Gwendolyn Betancourt Hankerson

Gwendolyn Betancourt Hankerson

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