House Resolution 14

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. MACK ELMORE BANKS AND EXPRESSING SINCEREST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in II Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal," and as such, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. Mack Elmore Banks to eternal rest on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at the age of 86, as he made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and many friends throughout Central Mississippi and beyond; and

WHEREAS, the West Point and Starkville communities lost an astute businessman and community pillar with the passing of Mr. Banks, born in Jasper, Alabama, on September 17, 1934, to his late parents, Mr. James McClain Banks and Mrs. Willie Lee Fair Banks, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay our respects to the memory of one who has been called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan; and

WHEREAS, the youngest of his parents' 10 children, Mr. Banks' family relocated to Mississippi when he was only six months old, and eventually established their family roots by homesteading in Artesia, Mississippi, when Mack was in 3rd Grade; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Banks graduated from Artesia High School in 1953 and, as a lifelong lover of music who began playing guitar at age 11 and writing songs at age 13, set out in pursuit of a career in music which, over the years, included stints as a guitarist and vocalist with several bands and local circuit tours alongside Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash; and

WHEREAS, Mack's possible chance at national stardom escaped him after "Blue Suede Shoes" hit No. 1 on the national charts on the same day as his appointment to audition for Sam Phillips of Sun Records, causing his appointment to be postponed and sacrificed to Jerry Lee Lewis, because he was unable to stay beyond the scheduled appointment window; and

WHEREAS, although Mack fell short of his dream for national acclaim, he did make it into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame with his original recording, "Be Boppin Daddy," and was favored with the greatest award he could ever imagine upon meeting Anita Kate Ashby, at WCPC radio station in Houston, Mississippi, in 1958, who would become his wife for the next 62 years in November of that same year; and

WHEREAS, the Banks made West Point their permanent home in February 1959, and Mack became a self-made man as an entrepreneur: owning an insurance agency, a supper club and a music wholesale company, the latter two of which would occasionally conjure up some raucous behavior by its patrons; and

WHEREAS, always cognizant of the words recorded in I John 3:2, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is," Mr. Banks recommitted his life to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in 2003, and became an active member of the First Presbyterian Church again and served as a deacon; and

WHEREAS, upon embarking on his new spiritual journey, Mr. Banks devoted his gift of music and instrumentality to church and considered it a privilege to be allowed to play and sing for the congregation many Sundays, and relished the joy he received from his Sunday School class and Men's Bible Study; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed life's river to now stand upon the celestial shores in wonderment of Heaven's grandeur in glorious reunion with the kindred spirits of loved ones who transitioned before him, the memories of Mr. Banks will continue to flourish in the hearts and minds of his survivors: his devoted wife, Anita Banks; daughters, Sonya Blaxton, Darlene Melton and Natalie Wheeler (Bill); grandchildren, Koren Paulsen, Casey Johnston II, Amy Able, Tori Cocharo, Alex Wheeler, Elizabeth Pettit and Amber Blaxton; eight great-grandchildren; extra special niece, Judy White; and numerous other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, we encourage the Banks family to find solace from these words recorded in II Corinthians 1:3-4, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the monumental life of genuine individuals of Mr. Banks' caliber, whose life was synonymous with the music he played, wrote and sang, which struck a melodious chord with all he encountered along his earthly sojourn:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of Mr. Mack Elmore Banks, and express deepest sympathy upon his passing to his family and friends.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Mack Elmore Banks and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.