Minnie Wilbanks

Minnie Ethel Hilliard Wilbanks, 81, of Diboll, died Monday, February 9, 2009 in Lufkin. Mrs. Wilbanks' family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at Carroway-Claybar Funeral Home in Lufkin. Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in the Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home Chapel in Beaumont with Reverend Robert Besser officiating. Graveside services will be held at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Chester with Brother Baldemar Gaitan officiating.
She was born January 1, 1928 in Port Arthur, Texas to the late Susan Emma Williams and Thomas Burleson Hilliard and resided in Diboll for two years. Mrs. Wilbanks grew up in Bridge City and graduated from Lutcher Stark High School. She worked for Gulf States Utilities Company, Dr. Robert Allison, Dr. John Reimers, Schlesinger Home Health, and her last position was as Office Manager for Upjohn Home Health. She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Beaumont.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Gerry and Beth Wilbanks; son, Randy Wilbanks; grandchildren and spouses, Susan and Dewayne Murrell, Coby and Samantha Wilbanks and Luke and Betsy Wilbanks; and great-grandchildren, Britney Murrell and Pete Wilbanks.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Wilbanks was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Charles Wilbanks, Sr.; and brothers, Eddins Oliver E.O. Hilliard, Thomas Burleson "Foots" Hilliard, Jr. and Harrison H. Hilliard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Youth Fund at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3810 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713 or the Youth Fund at Primera Iglesia Bautista de Diboll, 704 Dennis Street, Diboll, Texas 75941.