Willie Mae Lowrey Bankson

Willie Mae Lowrey Bankson, 86, passed away January 29, 2019, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland,

Mississippi. She was born in Winston County, Mississippi, the third child of seven, their first daughter, of Howard L. Lowrey and Jewel R. Culpepper Lowrey. Willie enjoyed the country living and the community of farm families and relatives that she grew up among. When Willie graduated from Ellison Ridge High School, she attended one year of college, but decided to look for a job. Her first job was in Ohio. Her second job took her to Washington, D. C. where she worked as a secretary. It was in Washington, D.C. that she met a Navy sailor that really impressed her. After a brief six-month courtship, she became the wife of Albert P. Bankson, the love of her life for the next 52 years.

Within the next few years, the newlyweds had a busy life with two years served in Japan. Next the couple moved to Santa Monica, California, where their only child, Diana J. Bankson was born. They then moved to San Francisco, California, where Willie worked as a secretary. After two years, the family moved to Oahu, Hawaii, for two years. The family returned to San Francisco. During the 1970’s the family moved to Thousand Oaks, California. Willie started her Real Estate career there. She enjoyed her association with many co-workers and clients. In the early 1970’s, Willie and Al started a Real Estate Investment business. The success of which allowed them to return to Willie’s beloved home state of Mississippi in 1980’s.

Willie and Al Bankson transferred their business to Mississippi and provided many homes and rentals for the people of Hinds and Rankin Counties.

Willie is predeceased by her husband Albert Bankson, her parents Howard and Jewel Lowrey, her brothers James Earl Lowrey, Aaron Lowrey, Elmer “Sonny” Lowrey and her sister June Lowrey Adams Holst.

She is survived by her daughter Diana Bankson Grindstaff and her husband Richard Grindstaff. She is the loving Grandmae of six grandchildren: Charlotte Grindstaff (Atlanta), Christina Grindstaff (Kuwait), Chad Grindstaff (Jackson), Cory Grindstaff (Colorado), Caitlyn Grindstaff (Jackson), and Connor Grindstaff (Jackson). She is also the great-grandmother of two. She is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Crowson (Joe) of Louisville and Mrs. Janie Pullen (Clyde) of Jackson.

Services will be held at Nowell Massey Funeral Home in Louisville, Mississippi. Viewing will start at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, February 2, 2019. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at Murphy Creek Cemetery at Murphy Creek Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, it is the wish that everyone will take a child out for ice cream and make a happy memory.

Serving as pallbearers are Frankie Joe Crowson, Caitlyn Grindstaff, Chad Grindstaff, Charlotte Grindstaff, Conner Grindstaff, Richard Grindstaff, Murry Lowrey, Allen Walker. Honorary pallbearers are Cory Grindstaff and Christina Grindstaff.

Services are under the direction of Nowell Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.