MABEN — James Earl Banks, 59, died March 30, 2026, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, at Grove Chapel M.B. Church, with the Rev. Frederick Townsel officiating. Burial will follow at Spring Valley Cemetery in Mathiston. Visitation will be from 9:50-10:50 a.m. prior to services at the church. Hairston and Hairston Funeral Homes of Starkville is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Banks was born Jan. 22, 1967, in Maben, to the late John Robert Banks and Maggie Banks. He was a 1987 graduate of Maben High School and was formerly employed as a factory worker with Franklin Corporation in Houston. He was a member of Grove Chapel M.B. Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, John A. Banks and Pearl Patterson.

He is survived by his siblings, Charlotte Townsend, Lora Banks, Sharon Smith, Janice Graham, Robert Banks and Timothy Banks.

Pallbearers are Charles Dobbs, Jerrette Jones, Jimmy Jones, Lathan Hughes, Roger Jones and Ladarius King.