Mr. Leroy Bankston

BANKSTON, Mr. Leroy - Age 99, passed away Friday, July 7, 2023 at his residence. Family hour 10:00 AM Tuesday, July 18, 2023 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM. Rev. Dr. Keith Dill, officiating. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Belford Rd., Holly, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the chapel 10:00 AM Tuesday. Mr. Bankston will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Monday with family present from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM to receive friends. Mr. Leroy Bankston made the transition to his heavenly home on July 7, 2023. Leroy was born on May 3, 1924, in Grady, Arkansas the son of Ellar Reed and Rev. Holley Bankston. He spent his formative years in Clarksdale, Mississippi where he was baptized at Silent Grove Baptist Church and married the love of his life, the late Helen (Porter) Bankston. Mr. Bankston was drafted into the United States Navy during World War II. He served on the USS Mercury (AKS-20) and was on duty when the ship was engaged in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the Battle of the Philippines Sea. He received an Honorable Discharged on December 23, 1945. After returning from the war, Leroy and his wife purchased the house on Pingree Street in Flint, Michigan. He was proud of this southside home and peacefully spent his last days there. Leroy was a hard worker and for many years he held two jobs. He was employed by General Motors Corporation for 46 years, retiring in 1989, and he owned Leroy Bankston Trucking for over 60 years. As a small business owner, he employed many family members and numerous residents of his Elm Park neighborhood. Mr. Leroy Bankston was the proud Patriarch of his large family. In fact, whenever he met someone, he would often tell them that he had “5 children, 15 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren… and the beat goes on.” In addition to spending time with his family he loved fishing, gardening, breaking down old machine parts, and taking long road trips. Leroy was an avid checkers player and over the years he won many state, local and out-of-state tournaments. Mr. Bankston leaves to cherish his memory: Children, Helen Donald of Mt. Morris, MI, Barbra (Lester) Carson and Billie (Penrose) Bankston, all of Flint, MI, Ralph Bankston of Grand Blanc, MI and Noel (Edwina) Bankston of Virginia Beach, VA. Grandchildren, Leslee “Candy” (Likoya) McCune, Lonie “Chip” (Kandra) Donald Jr., Lester “Goober” Carson III, Heidi Edwards, Holly (Lamar) Moreland, Linsey Carson, Heather (Larry) Knox, Lamar Carson, Karen Houston, Michael Bankston, Matthew Bankston, Mario (Louri) Bankston, Ralph “Lee” (Sarah) Bankston, and Ryan (Aparna) Bankston. Great Grandchildren, Kala Cheathams, Cyra (Devaughn) Nelams, Lonie Donald III, Halle (Keith) Mumphery, Derrick Whitehead, Antwan (Adrianna) Carson, Damian Bankston, Domonique (Dennis) Littlejohn, Daniel Carson, Jela McCune, La’Kie Donald, Lance Donald, Brenda Houston, Evan Knox, Dexter Moreland, Hailey Moreland, Hunter Moreland, Amaria Bankston, Savannah Crawford, Jmario Jones and Julius Bankston. Great-Great Grandchildren, Kayonna Dozier, Jayden Carson, Cyler Nelams, Laila Littlejohn, Kade Mumphery and a host of other nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors. Mr. Bankston was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Bankston; parents, Ellar Reed and Rev. Holley Bankston; granddaughter, Eliza “Lisa” Bankston; siblings, Mary Miller, Ruth Perkins, Samuel Bankston, James Bankston, Hark Albert “HA” Bankston, and Frank Butler. The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Arif Ahme, Dr. Michael Beer, Dr. Danish Rizwan, Dr. Timothy McNally, McLaren Home Care Hospice and Michelle, RN; Veterans Services, Tender Care Home Health VAAA, Caregivers: Carolyn, Pam, Jackie, Sherry and Azariya

Mr. Leroy Bankston

May 3, 1924 - July 7, 2023