Forrest Derrill "Ernie" Banks

Funeral services for Forrest Derrill “Ernie” Banks will be held Friday, September 2, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Beech Springs Baptist Church in Minden, Louisiana with Bro. Randy Brown officiating. Interment will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Choudrant, Louisiana. The family will receive friends at 12:00 noon at the church prior to the service.

Derrill was born October 17, 1935, in Choudrant, Louisiana and entered into rest August 31, 2022, in Minden, Louisiana. Derrill worked 38 years in telecommunications installation for Western Electric and AT&T. After moving to Dubberly in 1980, he worked toward his retirement dream starting with a small peach tree orchard followed by chicken horses and cows. As much as he worked, he found time to fish with his brothers and play ball with his children and grandchildren. The utmost important thing in Derrill’s life was his church and family. He was a devoted husband to Virginia Banks for 58 years. They were committed to church and community and cherished their time together traveling, but above all, he loved spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Forrest L. Banks and Rena Frasier Banks.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Cooper Banks; son, Stephen Derrill Banks and wife Amanda; daughter, Sharon Bryce and husband Kary all of Dubberly; brothers, Thomas Banks and wife Nancy of Downsville, Benjamin Banks and wife Glenda of Brandon, MS, Rodney Banks and wife Carolyn and Larry Banks of Ruston; grandchildren, Nataly Madden and husband Brandon, Jared Bryce and wife Emily, Kara Bryce, Rhodes Greer, and Cooper Banks; and one great grandchild, Banks Hayes Madden.

Pallbearers are Milton Banks, Kevin Banks, Joel Banks, Judson Banks, Kerry Banks Kane Banks, and John Banks.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Gideons or Beech Springs Baptist Church.