After enjoying Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with family and friends, Lillian (“Lynne”) was called to be with her Lord and Savior on December 26, 2024. She was surrounded by her brothers, surviving children, and many grandchildren as she went to meet her Savior with a faithful and fearless heart. Lynne lived with kindness in every word and deed and cared for every person and creature with whom the Lord put her in contact.
Lynne was born in Gloster, Mississippi, in 1937. Her family moved later to be near her mother’s family in Wilson, Louisiana, and finally she moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She attended Istrouma High School and graduated from LSU. Lynne was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and University Baptist Church.
Lynne was married to Ray Powers Bankston, Jr., for almost 50 years until he passed away. Lynne and Ray had three children, Ray Powers Bankston, III (“Chip”), Susan Melinda Bankston, M.D., and Blance Keith Bankston.
Lynne was predeceased by her husband, Ray, her son, Chip, her father, Blance Iverson, and her mother, Helen Drehr Iverson Sibley.
She is survived by 2 children, Susan (and her husband David Voss), and Blance; her daughter-in-law, Anita Rodrigue Bankston; her brothers, B.G. “Jerry” Iverson and his wife Marie, and David Iverson and his wife Margie; 7 grandchildren, Sarah Locke, Blance Matthew, Katherine, Charles, Ryan, Erin, Lauren; and 2 great-grandchildren, Isabelle Locke and Mackenzie Bankston.
Lynne worked as an educator and later as a social worker and addiction counselor. She thought of herself as a mother and caregiver to every soul she met. She had a great faith in her Lord and Savior that gave her an infectious patience, kindness and love for all people. She will be missed by many until we all meet again.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Lillian Academy.
