Morris Earl Bankston

Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home

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Posted by: Fuqua-Bankston
[email protected]
334-774-4551
Date: Jun 18 2015 2:22 PM

Morris Earl Bankston, 73, a resident of Ozark, passed away Tuesday evening, June 16, 2015, at Southeast Alabama Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church of Ozark with Rev. Dr. Billy D. Gaither and Rev. Michael Siglar officiating.  Burial will follow at Westview Cemetery with Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home directing.  The family will receive friends Friday, June 19, 2015, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home.

Earl, the oldest son of the late Percy and Pauline Hanners Bankston, was born September 24, 1941 in Houston County, Alabama.

Mr. Bankston, a graduate of John A. Gupton College, was an Alabama and National Board licensed funeral director and embalmer whose career spanned 50 years in the funeral profession.  He was co-founder of Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home which was established in 1982.  Earl, a member of the Alabama Funeral Directors Association and past District IV director, was scheduled to receive his 50 year service pin on Tuesday, June 23, 2015, at Point Clear, Alabama.  Earl proudly served as Dale County Coroner for 32 years.  He also served six years as a registered medicolegal death investigator during his tenure as coroner.

Earl was an active member of the First United Methodist Church.  He was also a faithful member and president of the Kells Carroll, Jr. Sunday School Class.  Earl was a long-time member and past president of the Ozark, Kiwanis Club.

Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 167 E. Broad Street, Ozark, AL 36360 or to the Ozark-Dale County Library, 416 James St, Ozark, AL 36360.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers Joe Bankston and Billy Bankston.

Earl is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Gail Strickland Bankston of Ozark; his two beloved sons, Jeffrey Reed (Chris) Bankston of Jacksonville, Florida and Morris Dee (Lynn) Bankston of Tampa, Florida; his four precious grandchildren  who affectionately referred to his as “Bigie” and later “Big,” Reed Christopher Bankston, Jace Dalton Bankston, and Annalise Mae Bankston of Jacksonville, Florida and Jack Rudolph Bankston of Tampa, Florida; one brother, Bobby (Joette) Bankston of Newton; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.   

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