Mrs. Elaine S. Bankston passed on into her eternal life with The Lord on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015.

Her accomplishments are many, including; Christian wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a close friend to many. She was a life-long member of Calvary Baptist Church, now Memorial Baptist, and a Sunday School teacher for as long as can be remembered.

She is a graduate of Bogalusa High School, Louisiana College, BA 1948, and Mississippi Southern College (USM), MA 1955, Masters +30 hours.

She taught elementary grades 3-6 at Long Avenue School. She mentored many other children after her formal retirement from Bogalusa City Schools.

Active in scouting, she became Den Mother for both grandsons, earning with them many achievements. Earning for herself volunteer honors from the Istrouma Council in Louisiana and the Pine Burr Council in Mississippi.

Despite of all of her accomplishments, she never wanted to be in any spotlight or rewards. She considered her rewards to be the gains of those she was teaching.

She loved to travel, visiting many states as well as Europe, Canada and Mexico. She loved to “runaway” to the beach at Gulf Shores.

She loved and served her family and friends and church family all of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wallace L. and Sarah “Sallie” Montgomery Smith; her siblings, Lucille, W.L., Evelyn and Joe; husband, Fred C. “Spot” Bankston; sister-in-laws, Ellen Bankston, Mary Bankston Rogers and Joyce Williams Smith; and nephew, Wallace L. Smith III.

She is survived by her daughters, Susan B. Anderson and Beth Bankston; grandsons, Chad Anderson and Rickey Edwards and fiancée Katie Northcutt; great-grandchildren Claire, Zachary and Ashleigh; a dear life-long friend, Mrs. Bobbie Carter; brothers-in-law, L.C. Terrell of Sun and Bill Rogers of South Carolina; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral arrangements will be at Brown-McGehee Funeral Home. The wake was held Thursday, Feb. 12, from 5 p.m.until 8p.m. Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 13, at 10 a.m., with funeral services at noon.

Tributes may be made to Memorial Baptist Church or Bogalusa City Schools.