Sharp W. Banks, Jr.

SERVICES:  TUESDAY,DECEMBER 13, 20112:00 P. M.MCCLAIN-HAYS CHAPELVISITATION:  TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 201111:00 A. M. UNTIL SERVICE TIMEINTERMENT:  CEDARLAWN CEMETERYWITH MILITARY HONORSOFFICIATING:  REV. TERE BANKSMr. Sharp Banks passed away Friday, December 9 in Mandeville, LA.  He was 87 years old.  He served as Superintendent of the Warren County Schools in Vicksburg, MS  for 38 years and was known as "the father of the county schools."  The honors he received were numerous but probably the one he treasured most was the Golden Lamp Award given by the state's School Superintendents Association to the outstanding administrator.  He was the first recipient.  He was always visible in the community, serving on the Board of the YMCA and working with the Optimist Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society and the Country Club.  He taught the Men's Bible Class at Gibson Memorial Methodist Church in Vicksburg, MS for 20 years.  Those that didn't know him in person knew his voice from the press box announcing the football games in Warren County for 35 years.  Banks served in the Navy in WWII as a Radarman Third Class receiving numerous commendations including the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with 4 stars. He is survived by his wife, Winnie Rogers Banks; children, Tere Banks, Columbus, OH; Paula Glen DeTrafford (Shelden) Walker, LA; Tina Henson (David), Mandeville, LA; and George Banks (Pam) Montesanto, WA; grandchildren, Elisabeth Huffman, Columbus, OH; Kathryn Luther, Columbus, OH; Rebecca Ramsey, Walker, LA; Amy Ganucheau, Baton Rouge, LA; Melissa Banks, Montesanto, WA; great-grandchildren, Anson, Chase, Alyssa Huffman and Sophie Andres.