Byron Banks

David Banks, as he was called by family and friends, was born on Nov 5, 1958. After being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, he was treated at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital in Tallahassee, Fla. On April 27, he was transferred to Big Bend Hospice House where he passed away the night of April 28, 2019, after an illness he endured for less that a year. David was a native of Thomas County. He graduated from Thomas County Central High School and, later, Thomas Area Vocational School with a degree in brick masonry. He then moved to Cairo. David was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing in the lakes and rivers in our area. In his travels along the Gulf Coast, he was happy to pursue his dreams of a life outdoors. He also loved to weld and worked on many ships docked along the Gulf of Mexico. David was a Christian of the Baptist faith and a member of New Shiloh Baptist Church in Thomas County. Later in life, he realized how blessed he was to know God's unrelenting love and was able to renew his faith in Jesus Christ and our Lord God almighty. David was the son of Lamar Brady Banks and Harriett M. Banks. After the death of Lamar in 1985, Harriett married Vonnie Stanaland on Feb 7, 1998. In February 1985, just before Lamar's death, David married Jenny Walker, the daughter of Hurshel Walker and Martha Walker. They were later divorced. Of this marriage came a son, Jeremy Banks. Jeremy was raised in his grandparents home under the supervision of his mother Jenny and his grandparents. After graduating from high school in Grady County, Jeremy married a wonderful woman, Bethany Paige Smith. They have been blessed with a beautiful little girl, Juliet Reese Banks. David is survived by: his son, Jeremy Banks (Bethaney) of Cairo, Ga.; a granddaughter, Juliet Reese Banks of Cairo; his mother, Harriett Stanaland and stepfather Vonnie Stanaland of Ochlocknee, Ga.; two sisters, Donna Joy Banks Rehberg of Ochlocknee and Debrah Banks Smith of Valdosta Ga.; two brothers, Buddy Banks (Karen) Moultrie, Ga., and Danny Banks (Tammy) of Alexandria, Va.; special friends and care givers Lee and Cheryl Murphy; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his father Lamar Brady Banks and sister Vicki Banks Newsome. A memorial service will be held at Faith Christian Center at 11 o'clock on Saturday, May 4, 2019. Pastor Bill Staten of Faith Christian Center and Minister Cheryl Murphy will lead the service. Family and friends are invited to visit his online life tribute page at www.allenfh.com