Dennis Ray Wilbanks, Sr.

 Dennis Ray Wilbanks, Sr., 69, resident of the Falkner Community and U.S. Army Veteran, passed away Thursday afternoon May 4, 2017 at his residence near Falkner following an extended illness.
  Services honoring the life of Mr. Wilbanks will be at 2 PM Monday May 8 in The Heritage Chapel of Ripley Funeral Home with Bro. Warren Harrell, Pastor of Faith Fellowship Church officiating. Graveside Services, with Military Honors, will follow in Liberty Cemetery near Falkner.
  Born June 18, 1947 in Benton County, he was the son of the late Lawrence and Mavis Caviness Wilbanks. He received his education in the Falkner School System and proudly served his country in the US Army from 1967 to 1969 during the Vietnam War period.
  Mr. Wilbanks was married on December 13, 1969 to his devoted companion, Charlotte Gates Wilbanks, who survives. He will be remembered as a multi-talented person who served as a mechanical technician with the Coors Brewing Company in Memphis for over 21 years before his retirement in 2006. He had a lifelong love for the outdoors and his country home that was surrounded by the peaceful woods and hills of the Falkner Community.
  A person who always placed his family first, Mr. Wilbanks enjoyed the simple things of life that included hunting, fishing and using his metal detector to locate Civil War relics. A spiritual person, he was a devoted member and Elder of Faith Fellowship Church and served as an ordained minister for 30 years, sharing his love for Jesus Christ with others throughout his life.
  Those left to honor his memory are: his wife of 47 years, Charlotte Gates Wilbanks of Falkner, his sons, Dennis Ray Wilbanks, Jr. (Wendy) of Covington, LA, Brian Wilbanks (Dion) of New Albany, Justin Wilbanks (Tiffany) and Mark Wilbanks both of Falkner, his sisters, Shelia Smith (Larry) of Falkner, Sue Wasson (Terry) of Desoto, KS and Dianne Hilliard (Dorsie) of Corinth, his brothers, Joe Wilbanks (Gaye), James Otis Wilbanks (Carol) and Arthur Wilbanks (Nada) all of Falkner, 8 grandchildren, Patrick Wilbanks (Danielle), Walker McCollum, Andrew Wilbanks (Barbara), Zach Dodds, Alison, Shannon , Shelbi and Justin Lawrence Wilbanks, 2 Honorary grandchildren, Will Bryant and Martina Chimeo and 2 great grandchildren, Bryan and Sophia Wilbanks. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Lou Surber, 4 grandchildren, Justin Shane Wilbanks, Jr, Olivia Grace Wilbanks and 2 infants and one infant great grandchild.
  Those honored to serve as active and honorary pallbearers will be: Andrew Wilbanks, Patrick Wilbanks, Zach Dodds, Walker McCollum, Justin Lawrence Wilbanks, Tommy Wilbanks, Chris Wilbanks, Alison Wilbanks, Shannon Wilbanks and Shelbi Wilbanks.
  The family request that memorials be directed to: Faith Fellowship Church, 631 CR 108, Walnut, MS 38683.

The Ripley Funeral Home is honored to serve the Wilbanks family and invites you to sign the guestbook and share memories.