Rodney Banister

Rodney Banister, a native of Coolidge, Georgia, renowned pecan farmer, and a longtime member of the “Coolidge Philosophers Club,” passed away on April 22, 2020. He was born on October 9, 1931, to the late Haywood Banister and the late Vivian Hardy Banister. Rodney attended the Georgia Institute of Technology and went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force in North Africa during the Korean War Conflict. He came home and tried office work, but soon realized his true calling was farming. He and his brothers, Don and Keith, established the successful Banister Brothers Farm. Rodney soon became a pecan advocate, planting one of the first orchards in Coolidge, opening and operating B&S Pecans in Coolidge – where thousands of travelers on Highway 319 stopped for samples and an education – and publishing a pecan cookbook. His knowledge of pecans garnered media attention that included an article in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution. Rodney also took time to serve his community, serving four years, from 1967 to 1970, on the Thomas County Board of Education, and from 1975 to 1979 on the Thomas County Board of Commissioners. Rodney was a member of the Thomasville Kiwanis Club, and in 1973 was honored as Kiwanis Farmer of the Year. In 1975, he was named Thomas County Soil Conservation Man of the Year.

Survivors include his children, Nick Banister of Jacksonville, FL, and Nina Ashley (Bruce) of Crawfordville, FL; his devoted companion Betty Joyce Nelson; his brother, Keith Banister (Dale) of Coolidge, GA; sister-in-law Wynette Banister of Coolidge, GA.; step-children, Teresa, Lori, and Kim; step grandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Don Banister, and daughter-in-law, Ceny Banister. Friends and family are invited to visit his online memorial tribute page at www.allenfh.com .