Dorothy "Dot" Carter Wagner Bankston

Dorothy (Dot) Carter Wagner Bankston, 83, of Holden, Louisiana, passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on February 2, 2024, after an extended illness. Dorothy was born on July 15, 1940, in Albany, Louisiana. She trusted in Jesus as her Lord and Savior at a young age and was baptized in the Tickfaw River soon afterwards. She was discipled and gained her training in the Faith as a member of Old Zion Hill Baptist Church. After marrying Carlton Bankston, they were active members of Flaggler Street Baptist Church and Pembroke Pines Baptist Church, Miami, Florida. Upon moving back home to Holden, Louisiana, Dorothy and Carl raised their two sons at Magnolia Baptist Church. Dorothy graduated from Albany High School. Upon graduating, she went to work for the phone company. After her time with the phone company, she was employed by Lallie Kemp Hospital as a switchboard operator. On October 30, 1964, Dorothy married the love of her life, Carlton Bankston, at Old Zion Hill Baptist Church. She was a dedicated homemaker for her family. While Carlton was commuting for the airlines between Miami, New York City, and Holden, Dorothy was making sure things at home ran smoothly while striving to keep her two challenging boys on the straight and narrow. She saw to it that her energetic sons were keeping up with their responsibilities of school, chores, and non stop athletics. Her sons’ athletic competitions took her to many cities and states across the United States. In the midst of all of the action, Dot made it a priority to ground her children in the faith, keeping their primary focus on Christ and the church. She always insisted on family nightly Bible readings followed by bedtime prayers. Over the years Dot served in many capacities within the church. She taught children’s Sunday School classes, led women’s Bible studies, served as the VBS director, Women’s Missionary Union Director, and hosted a variety of other fellowship events at her home. During her fifty plus years as a member of Magnolia Baptist Church, Dorothy formed several close relationships with the “Magnolia sisters”. Dorothy found great enjoyment in traveling. Through excursions with her husband, children, and sisters, she was able to visit all of the 50 states as well as Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. During her life Dot resided in Miami, New York, and Atlanta, but always kept her "home" in Holden. She was an avid and talented seamstress. She made her own wedding dress, as well as the Matron of Honor dress for her sister, Charlotte. In addition to wedding dresses, Mrs. Bankston created clothes for other sisters, for herself, and eventually for her two sons. As a grandmother she continued sewing and made all of the bedding and window treatments for her grandsons’ nurseries. Mrs. Bankston is survived by her two sons, Steven Ray Bankston (Kymberly) of Birmingham, Alabama, and Stuart Lyle Bankston (Rebecca) of Holden; grandchildren, Barnes Ray Bankston (Michaela), USMC 1st Lt. Carter Bankston, Christopher Bankston, Myia Bozeman (Derrick), Tyler Bankston (Lien), McKenzie Salinas (Sean), Gauge Bankston, and Kati-Grace Bankston; great grandchildren Liam Bankston, Alizabeth Bozeman, and Neveah Salinas; sisters, Charlotte McKnight, Joan Faust, and Phyllis Brooks, and brother William “Bud” Wagner (Linda), along with several nieces and nephews. Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband, Carlton Bankston, her parents, Gordan and Majorie Jelks Wagner, as well as her sister, Rita Wagner Mathews, and her brother Andrew David Wagner. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Bonnie Vaughn, Kayla Roundtree, Kim and Joni Edwards, and Jill Doty for their dedication and the genuine loving care they provided to Dorothy throughout the past six years. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Brandon Thompson Funeral Home, 12012 Hwy 190 W. Hammond, LA 70401, on Tuesday, February 6th, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Howze Family Cemetery, John Barber Rd, Holden.

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Dorothy "Dot" Carter Wagner Bankston

July 15, 1940 - February 2, 2024