Kenneth Wayne Wilbanks, Sr.

Kenneth Wayne Wilbanks, Sr., resident of Blue Mountain, longtime Tippah Countian and proud Vietnam Army Veteran who served his country with distinction, passed away Friday evening December 15, 2017 in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family. He was 72 years old and died following a year long illness.
  Funeral Services, with Military Honors, will be at 11 AM Monday December 18 in The Heritage Chapel of Ripley Funeral Home with family friend, Dr. Patrick Chapman fo Ripley officiating assisted by Bro. Darren Owens, Chaplain of Legacy Hospice.
  Burial will follow in the New Hope Methodist Cemetery near Ripley. Arrangements will be provided by The Ripley Funeral Home.
  Born September 21, 1945 in Benton County, Mr. Wilbanks was the son of the late James Clinton and Lillian E. Jones Wilbanks. He received his education in the Walnut School System, served his country in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1966, serving during the Vietnam War Era as a Spc 4 Specialist, 1st Battalion, 4th Calvary . On June 22, 1974 he married his beloved wife, the former Connie White, a native of Tippah County, who preceded him in death in 2011.
  In earlier years, Mr. Wilbanks was employed with McMillian Service Stations and Nile Jones Service Station. In 1986, he opened his own mechanic shop and enjoyed serving his friends and customers until his retirement in 2010.
  A Christian and family oriented person, Mr. Wilbanks had a love for nature that included hunting, fishing and watching hummingbirds. He will be remembered as a craftsman who "could make anything out of everything". His hobbies and interests were many and included growing daylilies , caring for his pristine yard and always found time to enjoy his much loved grandchildren that included "blowing bubbles" with them.
  Visitation will continue Monday until service time at The Ripley Funeral Home.
  Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Kenneth Wilbanks, II (Ann) and Shanna Vaughan (Sam) both of Blue Mountain, four sisters, Patricia Benefield (Bobby) of Olive Branch, Brenda Boyd of Walnut, Francis Williams (Leon) of Corinth and Linda Wilbanks of Cherokee, AL, three wonderful grandchildren who he adored, Alley Wilbanks, Andy and Merida Vaughan and a special caregiver, Chanel Dearbone of Ripley.
  Mr. Wilbanks was also preceded in death by a sister, Mary Juanita Wibanks and three brothers, Roger, James and Billy Wilbanks and a brother in law, John Williams.
  The family would like to extend a special thank you to Lanna Reaves and Legacy Hospice, special friends , Blanche Grisham and Bettye Hill and his four loving sisters for the love, care and concern of their father and brother.
 

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