Marshall Lafayat (M.L.) Bankston Sr., age 89, of Meadville, Mississippi, departed absent from the body and face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ in the early morning hours of Sunday, February 25, at his home after a lengthy battle with Parkinsons Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Born on October 15, 1928, in rural Franklin County, he was the son of the late Otice Stroud Bankston and the late Marshall Warren Bankston.
Mr. Bankston worked in the oil fields in south Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and the Gulf of Mexico on a drilling rig before starting a twenty-four year career as an oil gauger for Meason Operating Company and Craft-Ray Mac Petroleum Company and as a production supervisor for Total Energy.
A man of strong faith, he understood that salvation was faith alone in Christ alone. He was a member of Oldenburg Presbyterian Church serving as a church elder. He also enjoyed the teachings of Pastor Robert B. Thieme communicated in a weekly Bible class that he attended.
He enjoyed taking care of his Franklin County farm raising cattle and tending to his land. He was an avid lover of any type of work outside. After retiring in 1992, he enjoyed riding his four-wheeler with his grandson Preston, tending to his cows, daily checking for fence that needed repair and bug timber of which, if he found any, allowed him to crank up his power saw and cut a load of pulp wood with his brother-in-law Lovey Arnold and the reluctant participation of other family members. He also loved rounding up his cows to take to the sale barn and planting his yearly spring garden which also created a great consternation for family members (and before owning a garden tiller- the horse he called Billy and other names that cant be printed) because they always fell short of the precision he required for these activities. In any project that he was involved in there was never any doubt that he was the boss. Having owned many tools and different pieces of equipment over the years, he was certain that he could always trace back any of these that suddenly disappeared to his sons-in-law. He enjoyed deer hunting for many years until he lost the desire after he killed two bucks running together. Most people called him M. L. as did our mother when she was mad at him or needed something immediately. His brother-in-law Denny fondly called him Big M. We imagine that some of his workers may have often referred to him in the same category that he called the horse. Even as dementia and Parkinsons unmercifully ravaged his body, he was lovable and funny which made it bearable to see him go from a strong and active man to one who lost the vibrant quality of life that he so enjoyed.
His greatest joy and love was his family. Though he worked long hours, he always attended his childrens band activities, cheer events, and ball games. In retirement, he continued to do the same for his grandchildren. One of the last athletic events he was able to attend was in 2012 watching his grandsons community college football team win the state championship in football and celebrating on the field with him afterwards. He, his wife, and other family members also greatly enjoyed making their twice yearly trips to Gatlinburg, TN, and eating fried catfish at least a couple of times a week at the Sandbar restaurant in Vidalia, LA.
Mr. Bankston was preceded in death by his sisters, Annie Sullivan, Bessie Arnold, and Ethyl Smith, his brother, Otis Bankston ; his in-laws, Denton and Mattie Ducker; infant grandson, Brandon Alexander Shelton; and son-in-law, Larry Skeeter Halford.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doris Mae Ducker Bankston; his children, Debbie Halford (the late Larry), Marshall L. Bankston, Jr., and Libby Shelton (Eddie); his four grandchildren, Kristi Hester (Eddie), Brandi Hollingsworth (Alex), Ashley Priest (Mitch), and Preston Shelton (Kristin); his five great grandchildren, Emily Grace Hester, Anna Kate Hester, John Grayson Priest, Sophie Lynn Hollingsworth, and Denton Alexander Hollingsworth; his sister Mildred Newell; his brother-in-law, Denny Ducker (Brenda); his sister-in-law Mary Bankston; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Franklin Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 28, from 10:00 until the 11:00 am funeral service. Burial will follow at Midway Cemetery.
The family expresses thanks to RN Carol Whittington, CNAs Brenda Lewis, Lakisha Upton, and Tosha Hunt of Camellia Hospice for their wonderful and thoughtful care for the last six months of our fathers life. Memorials may be made to Rick Hughes Evangelistic Ministry, P.O. Box 100, Cropwell, AL 35054.
Mr. Bankston worked in the oil fields in south Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and the Gulf of Mexico on a drilling rig before starting a twenty-four year career as an oil gauger for Meason Operating Company and Craft-Ray Mac Petroleum Company and as a production supervisor for Total Energy.
A man of strong faith, he understood that salvation was faith alone in Christ alone. He was a member of Oldenburg Presbyterian Church serving as a church elder. He also enjoyed the teachings of Pastor Robert B. Thieme communicated in a weekly Bible class that he attended.
He enjoyed taking care of his Franklin County farm raising cattle and tending to his land. He was an avid lover of any type of work outside. After retiring in 1992, he enjoyed riding his four-wheeler with his grandson Preston, tending to his cows, daily checking for fence that needed repair and bug timber of which, if he found any, allowed him to crank up his power saw and cut a load of pulp wood with his brother-in-law Lovey Arnold and the reluctant participation of other family members. He also loved rounding up his cows to take to the sale barn and planting his yearly spring garden which also created a great consternation for family members (and before owning a garden tiller- the horse he called Billy and other names that cant be printed) because they always fell short of the precision he required for these activities. In any project that he was involved in there was never any doubt that he was the boss. Having owned many tools and different pieces of equipment over the years, he was certain that he could always trace back any of these that suddenly disappeared to his sons-in-law. He enjoyed deer hunting for many years until he lost the desire after he killed two bucks running together. Most people called him M. L. as did our mother when she was mad at him or needed something immediately. His brother-in-law Denny fondly called him Big M. We imagine that some of his workers may have often referred to him in the same category that he called the horse. Even as dementia and Parkinsons unmercifully ravaged his body, he was lovable and funny which made it bearable to see him go from a strong and active man to one who lost the vibrant quality of life that he so enjoyed.
His greatest joy and love was his family. Though he worked long hours, he always attended his childrens band activities, cheer events, and ball games. In retirement, he continued to do the same for his grandchildren. One of the last athletic events he was able to attend was in 2012 watching his grandsons community college football team win the state championship in football and celebrating on the field with him afterwards. He, his wife, and other family members also greatly enjoyed making their twice yearly trips to Gatlinburg, TN, and eating fried catfish at least a couple of times a week at the Sandbar restaurant in Vidalia, LA.
Mr. Bankston was preceded in death by his sisters, Annie Sullivan, Bessie Arnold, and Ethyl Smith, his brother, Otis Bankston ; his in-laws, Denton and Mattie Ducker; infant grandson, Brandon Alexander Shelton; and son-in-law, Larry Skeeter Halford.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doris Mae Ducker Bankston; his children, Debbie Halford (the late Larry), Marshall L. Bankston, Jr., and Libby Shelton (Eddie); his four grandchildren, Kristi Hester (Eddie), Brandi Hollingsworth (Alex), Ashley Priest (Mitch), and Preston Shelton (Kristin); his five great grandchildren, Emily Grace Hester, Anna Kate Hester, John Grayson Priest, Sophie Lynn Hollingsworth, and Denton Alexander Hollingsworth; his sister Mildred Newell; his brother-in-law, Denny Ducker (Brenda); his sister-in-law Mary Bankston; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Franklin Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 28, from 10:00 until the 11:00 am funeral service. Burial will follow at Midway Cemetery.
The family expresses thanks to RN Carol Whittington, CNAs Brenda Lewis, Lakisha Upton, and Tosha Hunt of Camellia Hospice for their wonderful and thoughtful care for the last six months of our fathers life. Memorials may be made to Rick Hughes Evangelistic Ministry, P.O. Box 100, Cropwell, AL 35054.
Marshall Lafayat (M.L.) Bankston Sr., age 89, of Meadville, Mississippi, departed absent from the body and face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ in the early morning hours of Sunday, February 25, at his home after a lengthy battle with Parkinsons Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Born on October 15, 1928, in rural Franklin County, he was the son of the late Otice Stroud Bankston and the late Marshall Warren Bankston.
Mr. Bankston worked in the oil fields in south Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and the Gulf of Mexico on a drilling rig before starting a twenty-four year career as an oil gauger for Meason Operating Company and Craft-Ray Mac Petroleum Company and as a production supervisor for Total Energy.
A man of strong faith, he understood that salvation was faith alone in Christ alone. He was a member of Oldenburg Presbyterian Church serving as a church elder. He also enjoyed the teachings of Pastor Robert B. Thieme communicated in a weekly Bible class that he attended.
He enjoyed taking care of his Franklin County farm raising cattle and tending to his land. He was an avid lover of any type of work outside. After retiring in 1992, he enjoyed riding his four-wheeler with his grandson Preston, tending to his cows, daily checking for fence that needed repair and bug timber of which, if he found any, allowed him to crank up his power saw and cut a load of pulp wood with his brother-in-law Lovey Arnold and the reluctant participation of other family members. He also loved rounding up his cows to take to the sale barn and planting his yearly spring garden which also created a great consternation for family members (and before owning a garden tiller- the horse he called Billy and other names that cant be printed) because they always fell short of the precision he required for these activities. In any project that he was involved in there was never any doubt that he was the boss. Having owned many tools and different pieces of equipment over the years, he was certain that he could always trace back any of these that suddenly disappeared to his sons-in-law. He enjoyed deer hunting for many years until he lost the desire after he killed two bucks running together. Most people called him M. L. as did our mother when she was mad at him or needed something immediately. His brother-in-law Denny fondly called him Big M. We imagine that some of his workers may have often referred to him in the same category that he called the horse. Even as dementia and Parkinsons unmercifully ravaged his body, he was lovable and funny which made it bearable to see him go from a strong and active man to one who lost the vibrant quality of life that he so enjoyed.
His greatest joy and love was his family. Though he worked long hours, he always attended his childrens band activities, cheer events, and ball games. In retirement, he continued to do the same for his grandchildren. One of the last athletic events he was able to attend was in 2012 watching his grandsons community college football team win the state championship in football and celebrating on the field with him afterwards. He, his wife, and other family members also greatly enjoyed making their twice yearly trips to Gatlinburg, TN, and eating fried catfish at least a couple of times a week at the Sandbar restaurant in Vidalia, LA.
Mr. Bankston was preceded in death by his sisters, Annie Sullivan, Bessie Arnold, and Ethyl Smith, his brother, Otis Bankston ; his in-laws, Denton and Mattie Ducker; infant grandson, Brandon Alexander Shelton; and son-in-law, Larry Skeeter Halford.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doris Mae Ducker Bankston; his children, Debbie Halford (the late Larry), Marshall L. Bankston, Jr., and Libby Shelton (Eddie); his four grandchildren, Kristi Hester (Eddie), Brandi Hollingsworth (Alex), Ashley Priest (Mitch), and Preston Shelton (Kristin); his five great grandchildren, Emily Grace Hester, Anna Kate Hester, John Grayson Priest, Sophie Lynn Hollingsworth, and Denton Alexander Hollingsworth; his sister Mildred Newell; his brother-in-law, Denny Ducker (Brenda); his sister-in-law Mary Bankston; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Franklin Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 28, from 10:00 until the 11:00 am funeral service. Burial will follow at Midway Cemetery.
The family expresses thanks to RN Carol Whittington, CNAs Brenda Lewis, Lakisha Upton, and Tosha Hunt of Camellia Hospice for their wonderful and thoughtful care for the last six months of our fathers life. Memorials may be made to Rick Hughes Evangelistic Ministry, P.O. Box 100, Cropwell, AL 35054.
Mr. Bankston worked in the oil fields in south Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and the Gulf of Mexico on a drilling rig before starting a twenty-four year career as an oil gauger for Meason Operating Company and Craft-Ray Mac Petroleum Company and as a production supervisor for Total Energy.
A man of strong faith, he understood that salvation was faith alone in Christ alone. He was a member of Oldenburg Presbyterian Church serving as a church elder. He also enjoyed the teachings of Pastor Robert B. Thieme communicated in a weekly Bible class that he attended.
He enjoyed taking care of his Franklin County farm raising cattle and tending to his land. He was an avid lover of any type of work outside. After retiring in 1992, he enjoyed riding his four-wheeler with his grandson Preston, tending to his cows, daily checking for fence that needed repair and bug timber of which, if he found any, allowed him to crank up his power saw and cut a load of pulp wood with his brother-in-law Lovey Arnold and the reluctant participation of other family members. He also loved rounding up his cows to take to the sale barn and planting his yearly spring garden which also created a great consternation for family members (and before owning a garden tiller- the horse he called Billy and other names that cant be printed) because they always fell short of the precision he required for these activities. In any project that he was involved in there was never any doubt that he was the boss. Having owned many tools and different pieces of equipment over the years, he was certain that he could always trace back any of these that suddenly disappeared to his sons-in-law. He enjoyed deer hunting for many years until he lost the desire after he killed two bucks running together. Most people called him M. L. as did our mother when she was mad at him or needed something immediately. His brother-in-law Denny fondly called him Big M. We imagine that some of his workers may have often referred to him in the same category that he called the horse. Even as dementia and Parkinsons unmercifully ravaged his body, he was lovable and funny which made it bearable to see him go from a strong and active man to one who lost the vibrant quality of life that he so enjoyed.
His greatest joy and love was his family. Though he worked long hours, he always attended his childrens band activities, cheer events, and ball games. In retirement, he continued to do the same for his grandchildren. One of the last athletic events he was able to attend was in 2012 watching his grandsons community college football team win the state championship in football and celebrating on the field with him afterwards. He, his wife, and other family members also greatly enjoyed making their twice yearly trips to Gatlinburg, TN, and eating fried catfish at least a couple of times a week at the Sandbar restaurant in Vidalia, LA.
Mr. Bankston was preceded in death by his sisters, Annie Sullivan, Bessie Arnold, and Ethyl Smith, his brother, Otis Bankston ; his in-laws, Denton and Mattie Ducker; infant grandson, Brandon Alexander Shelton; and son-in-law, Larry Skeeter Halford.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doris Mae Ducker Bankston; his children, Debbie Halford (the late Larry), Marshall L. Bankston, Jr., and Libby Shelton (Eddie); his four grandchildren, Kristi Hester (Eddie), Brandi Hollingsworth (Alex), Ashley Priest (Mitch), and Preston Shelton (Kristin); his five great grandchildren, Emily Grace Hester, Anna Kate Hester, John Grayson Priest, Sophie Lynn Hollingsworth, and Denton Alexander Hollingsworth; his sister Mildred Newell; his brother-in-law, Denny Ducker (Brenda); his sister-in-law Mary Bankston; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Franklin Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 28, from 10:00 until the 11:00 am funeral service. Burial will follow at Midway Cemetery.
The family expresses thanks to RN Carol Whittington, CNAs Brenda Lewis, Lakisha Upton, and Tosha Hunt of Camellia Hospice for their wonderful and thoughtful care for the last six months of our fathers life. Memorials may be made to Rick Hughes Evangelistic Ministry, P.O. Box 100, Cropwell, AL 35054.
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