James R. (Pete) Bankston

James R. (Pete) Bankston of the Mill Creek Community completed his earthly journey on February 26, 2016 and faithfully went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 87. He is survived by Myrtis Hurst Bankston, his loving wife of 64 years. Mr. Bankston was born August 6, 1928, and raised in the Strengthford community by his parents Martin & Darrel Bankston. Pete and Myrtis have three children, including their daughter Marsha Bankston West and her husband Bruce; their son James Harris (Jamie) Bankston and his wife Derice; and their daughter Rebekah Bankston Breckenridge & her husband John. Mr. Bankston is also survived by his brother Frank (Shorty) Bankston and wife Otti, his brother Vondell Bankston and his sister Voncile (Sonny) Cheek. Pete and Myrtis’s 8 grandchildren include Renee West Strickland and husband Barry, Leah West McAndrew and husband Jeremy, Meghan Breckenridge Ruelas and husband Kenneth, Jay Bankston and wife Monica, Meredith Breckenridge English and husband Caleb, Laura Bankston, and grandsons Daniel and Joshua Breckenridge and 2 step-granddaughters, Callen and Bailee Gibson. Pete and Myrtis were also blessed with 10 great-grandchildren. Mr. Bankston was preceded in death by his mother and father, brothers Edward, J. D. & Jack Bankston and sister Myrtle Bankston Rose. Mr. Bankston served his nation in the U.S. Navy and played on the Navy’s official basketball team while stationed in San Diego Harbor. He was an active member of Lake Congregational Methodist Church where he served faithfully for many years as a deacon. He began his working career at International Paper in Moss Point before moving back to Jones County, where he farmed and raised livestock. He also raised, trained, and showed champion beagles. Mr. Bankston was a long-time member and past president of the Free State Beagle Club of Jones County and he traveled throughout the southeast showing and judging at field trials. He also took great pleasure in growing and sharing watermelons with family and friends. Visitation for Pete Bankston will be at Memory Chapel on Sunday, February 28th, from 5 to 7 PM. Services will be held on Monday, February 29th at 2 PM in the sanctuary of the Lake Congregation Methodist Church on Highway 84 east of Laurel. Mr. Bankston will be placed in the church at 1 PM Monday. Mr. Bankston's services were scheduled to be conducted by Brother Bill Ross of Jasper, TN and Brother Ken Harrison of Dumas, MS with internment in the Mill Creek Cemetery. Pallbearers include Mr. Bankston's grandsons Jay, Jeremy, Barry, Kenneth, Daniel, Joshua and Noah. Representing Pete's longtime family friends and church family are Mr. Jim Easterling and Mr. Robert Mitchell. Mrs. Bankston and all of Pete's family greatly appreciate all the love and kindness expressed in his passing.

James R. (Pete) Bankston

August 6, 1928 - February 26, 2016