Monica Banks, Oktibbeha County’s first African-American chancery clerk elected to office, died at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle in Columbus Friday, Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant confirmed.
Banks, who has served as chancery clerk since 1996, was 58.
County officials previously confirmed Banks had taken medical leave from her job. In the months prior to 2015’s countywide election, she was also absent from her post for health-related reasons.
Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors President Orlando Trainer confirmed the chancery clerk’s office would close Friday. It was unclear when the office will re-open.
“Monica was a great representative of Oktibbeha County and dedicated a good portion of her life toward public service,” Trainer said. “She will be missed, and her loss weighs heavy on all of us here.”
Board Attorney Jackson Brown said he will review state statute today to brief supervisors about how the county proceeds with filling Banks’ position.
Brown said it was too close to November’s election to add a candidate to the ballot.
It is believed supervisors will appoint an interim soon and could hold a special election in the future.
The board of supervisors is expected to meet Monday, but it is unknown if Banks’ death will cause officials to postpone the meeting.
County Administrator Emily Garrard said the status of Monday’s meeting depends on funeral arrangements, which have not been set at this time.
District 38 Rep. Tyrone Ellis (D-Starkville) said Banks’ loss will be felt throughout the community.
“Life is short and comes at you so fast. We need to be mindful of the fact that we don’t have a lot of time to do right with one another. We need to make sure we try, like Monica did, to build relationships instead of tearing each other down,” he said. “Monica was such a strong person, and family came first for her. She cared for everyone, from her own blood to her staff and the community.”
The Dispatch will update this story as more information becomes available.
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