Rodney L. Wilbanks

Mr. Rodney L. Wilbanks, age 57 of Commerce passed away on Friday, December 29, 2023 at Piedmont Athens Regional.  Mr. Wilbanks was born in Atlanta, GA to Bobby Wilbanks (Sandra) of Commerce and the late, Janet Chandler Howard.  Mr. Wilbanks was the pastor at The Refuge Church in Commerce and known as the Cowboy Preacher.  He spent his days witnessing to every single person he met, trying to introduce them to Jesus. If he wasn’t fishing for souls, he was in a boat fishing for dinner. He would fish from before sunup until after sundown no matter the weather if his wife would let him, and she would because she was right there beside him. He also spent his life as a cowboy, riding, training, and transporting horses. He was a jack of all trades. The hardest working man that ever lived. 

In addition to his mother, he is preceded in death by his son, Nicholas Wilbanks, who no doubt was shouting and running towards him wide open when he saw daddy bust through Heaven’s gates. and grandparents, Elwyn Wilbanks and Bertha Lee Wilbanks.

In addition to his father and step-mother, Mr. Wilbanks is survived by his wife, Brandy Wilbanks of Commerce; sons, Kevin Wilbanks (Bethany) and Kaleb Wilbanks (Julia) of Commerce; daughter, Courtney Gary (Bucky) of Athens; sister, Angela Wilbanks of Mexico and 5 grandchildren.

We have lost our hero, our best friend, our rock. He will forever be remembered as the man who would not give up on you. His main goal every day was to lead ONE MORE soul to Christ. If he ever touched your life in any way, please attend one of the following services.

Funeral services will be held at 2 PM, Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at The Refuge Church Tent Revival Grounds on South Broad Street, Ext, Commerce with Rev. Frankie Cleveland and Rev. Timothy Gerrin officiating.  Interment will follow in Cabin Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Sunday from 4-7 PM and Monday from 5-8 PM at Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce.

In lieu of flowers, donation can be made to The Refuge Church Building Fund, Commerce.

Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce is in charge of arrangements.