John L. Bankston, the subject of this sketch was born in Washington Parish in the neighborhood of Pleasant Hill Baptist church on January 18, 1848 and lived his entire lifetime of 85 years in the same community. He was a life time member of the Pleasant Hill Baptist church and one of the oldest masons in this section of the country. Mr. Bankston was married in December, 1868 to Miss Emily Smith of Warnerton, to which union was born eleven children, three of whom preceded Mr. Bankston to the grave. Surviving him are Eugene and David Bankston of Sunny Hill, W. B. Bankston, Mrs. Leila Bond and Mrs. W. A. Stafford of Franklinton, Mrs. Sallie B. Bankston, and Mrs. Mary Crawford of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, Mrs. Zina Gardner of Plain Dealing La. His wife preceded him to the grave about 18 years ago. Fifty-nine grand children, and thirty-nine great-grandchildren also survive, as well as two brother, George and L. H. Bankston and two sisters, Mrs. Dorcas Self and Mrs. Candace Alford. Mr. Bankston died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. W. A. Stafford on Friday, January 27, 1933 and was buried Saturday afternoon at the Pleasant Hill cemetery after funeral services conducted by Rev. W. F. Huston, Rev. H. A. Sylvest and Rev. Cutrer, with Masonic honors at the grave. Eight grand-sons acted as pallbearers and eight grand-daughters served as flower girls the entire ceremonies being beautiful and impressive. Mr. Bankston was a good neighbor, and friend to all who knew him, and ideal citizen, a faithful church member and Mason, a kind father and devoted husband. He lived and died as a good and true man. [signed] A Friend.
