Alene Dobson Bancks, age 96, passed away peacefully Feb. 16, 2023. She was born June 14, 1926, in Ellisville, Miss., to George W. and Luvenia Conn Dobson. After meeting over a chance encounter of a broken bicycle chain, Alene married her best friend, Robert William Bancks, June 29, 1947. “Bobby” preceded her in death in 1985.
Alene loved to help people. As a life member of Henning Memorial United Methodist Church in Sulphur, she worked at the Mustard Seed helping and supporting families in need for many, many years. She was also a member of the Eastern Star. A quilter in her retirement years, Alene made quilts and blankets that continue to keep her friends and family warm and peaceful in sleep and/or curled up by the fire. Her hands were rarely still. Huge embroidered quilts fit for kings and queens were her favorite to make.
For 42 years Alene worked for the State of Louisiana teaching elementary school. The number of children and parents that appreciated her through the years is countless. It suited her servant heart. She was great at teaching children, she always did what’s right and never failed at completing what was good. Be kind and help others could have been written for Alene. Her children and grandchildren tried for years to challenge her by taking old yearbooks, mixing up names from her classes and asking her what year she had that child. Not only did she correct you and tell you the right name, she could tell you the year she had the student in her class. Without fail MawMaw was always right.
Ecclesiastes 9:7 tells us “Go eat your food with gladness and drink with a joyful heart for God has approved what you do” – Alene shared her kitchen with the world. An amazing cook, her cornbread dressing and homemade macaroni and cheese will be legend for years to come. The smell of warm sourdough bread filled her kitchen with love and kept our bellies filled with amazing fullness for many years. Alene’s special recipe of honey milk was incredible and very calming. Her kitchen was always open and could barely contain the smiles and happiness of those who frequented the walls.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert William “Bobby” Bancks; son, George Robert Bancks; son, William Anthony Bancks; sister, Thelma Foreman; brother, JR Dobson; brother, Edward Dobson; and sister, Paulette Entrekin.
Alene is loved and survived by her daughter Brenda Joyce Head, her husband Donald Glen Head, Daughter in Law Donna Bancks, Grandchildren, Gerad – wife Britney, Robert Glen Head, Jennifer (JJ) – husband Stephen Potts, Emily Warner – husband Billy, Jeremy Upton – wife Candy, beloved niece Susanne Carr, sister Betty Jarrell, brother John Dobson – wife Freida, sister Faye Powell – husband Curtis, brother-in-law, Larry Entrekin, Great grandchildren, Beau, Presley, Megan and Sarah Potts, Ashley Elizabeth Camel – husband Cade, William, Ellanor, Allison, Wallace and Lillie Head, Bobby Warner, Great-Great Grandson Theodore Michael Camel, 2nd daughter Margaret Ara Williams and her beloved care giver Pamela Williams. As well as many nieces and nephews.
Please join us in celebrating her life at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20, in Henning Memorial United Methodist Church in Sulphur. The Rev. Juliet Spencer and William Gerad Head, grandson, will officiate. Pallbearers will be Stephen Potts, William Gerad Head, William James Head, and honorary pallbearers will be Robert Glen Head and Wallace Wade Head. Burial will be in Mimosa Pines Cemetery South in Carlyss under the direction of Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home and will resume on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of service in the church. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.