Earl Bankston

Earl Bankston passed away on Friday, August 21, 2026, at his home in Natalbany, Louisiana, at the age of 87. He was born on Wednesday, March 1, 1939 in Baptist, Louisiana. He was a resident of Natalbany, Louisiana.

Earl is survived by his wife, Margie Goynes Bankston; children, Alisa (Gerald) Colona, and Kaye (Jerry) McDowell; grandchildren, Raegan (Jonah) Zieske, Kayleigh (Alan) Williamson, and Blaine Colona; great-grandchildren, Minka Zieske, Nora Williamson, and Callie Williamson. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who all have good memories of “Uncle Earl”.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Corinne Bankston and her husband, Gordan Barnfus. His brother-in-law Raymond Furca and a nephew, Ronald Wayne Furca also pre-deceased him.

Earl had a very impactful career journey that spanned most of his life. As a young boy, he had a paper route then started out his career as a taxi driver in Hammond, and shortly after that started working at Cal-Maine Foods working with chickens as a service man and owing his own chicken and pullet farms. Most of his life, he worked in law enforcement. This career began in 1973 when he was hired as a Louisiana State Trooper for 17 years. He ended his law enforcement career at TPSO, where he retired as the Jail Administrator. His love for working didn't stop there, because him and his amazing wife, Margie, went on to work at Dollywood for 18 years, making many sweet memories together and for many others as they constantly blessed friends and family with Dollywood passes.

As a Louisiana State Trooper, Earl graduated from LSU Law Enforcement Academy during his tenure as a detective for region 9. He served in the US Army for a couple years, being a military policeman. Earl loved the Lord deeply. He was a member of First Baptist of Hammond, and while living in Tennessee, attended MountainView Baptist Church in Sevierville. Earl loved woodworking. He always was making something for someone, and it brought him joy doing it. Above all his accomplishments, careers, and hobbies, he loved his family deeply. They were a blessing to his life. Earl will be missed, leaving his family and friends behind with so many great memories and love. His family lived a life full of laughter, love, and opportunities because of his commitment to his wife, daughters, grand-children, and great grandchildren leading them with integrity and kindness.

Special thanks to North Oaks Hospice for their help during this time. Thank you to his caregivers, Sharon Jones, Suzanne Posey, and Carolyn Buckley.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the First Baptist Church of Hammond Children's Department. This ministry was dear to his heart.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service at First Baptist Church of Hammond, 401 W. Morris St., Hammond, Louisiana 70403, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 12:00 pm. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Interment will follow at Rose Memorial Gardens, in Hammond, Louisiana.