Mary Bankston

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7. 

With heavy hearts and profound sadness, we announce the passing of Mary Bankston on June 23, 2025 in Biloxi, Mississippi. 

Born September 11, 1931, in Jones County Mississippi, Mary Bankston was a young avid reader. Mary would hide from her sister Doris in a hollow tree so she could read her books. 

Met and married Mathew Bankston in Laurel, Mississippi. Mary Bankston was and co-owner of MariHelen’s dress shop. Later Matt and Mary opened Bankston Collins Insurance which they operated for 2 decades. She participated in the March for Babies for the local March of Dimes, was the head of the Harrison County Election Commission and was a board Member of the Harrison County Development Commission Board Member of the Coast Transit Authority Delegate to four Republican National Conventions, representing Mississippi. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Mathew Bankston, her son, John Bankston, and siblings Billy Martin, Willie Martin, Ora Gibson, and Doris Lowe. 

She is survived by her daughter Patti Futrell and husband Brent; son, Jim Bankston and wife Liz; grandson Bryan Bankston and wife Judy; and brother Roy Martin. 

The family would like to thank Singing River Hospice of Light and Your Choice Senior Care for their empathetic support and care during Mary’s last days. 

Services will be held on July 7 at 10:00 AM at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 2511 Pass Road, Biloxi, MS 3953. Friends and family are invited to attend beginning at 9:30 AM and pay their respects. The internment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Handsboro United Methodist Church, 2333 Demaret Dr., Gulfport, MS 39507 in Mary Bankston’s memory.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mary Bankston.