Martin Estees Wilbanks

Mr. Martin Estees Wilbanks, age 97 of Toccoa passed away Sunday, February 8, 2015 at Stephens County Hospital.

A son of the late Ulysses Grant Wilbanks and Susie Yearwood Wilbanks and the last member of his immediate family, he was born June 17, 1917 in Habersham County, Georgia having lived most of his life in Stephens County, Georgia. He retired from Wabco as a welder with 34 years of service. He was a member of Hill Street Baptist Church. He will always be remembered by his family and friends as a sweet and loving man who was always willing to lend a helping hand to others. The many stories of his life were always inspiring and entertaining to those he met. He volunteered at Pruitt Health Care for 30+ years and was a member of the Monday Morning Coffee Club. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruby Freeman Wilbanks and his second wife, Lona lee Payne Wilbanks, by a brother, Wilson Wilbanks and by four sisters, Bertie Wilbanks, Bertha King, Lora Carpenter and Ruth Cabe.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Doris and Jimmy Whiten and Brenda and Dale Jones both of Toccoa; two sons and daughters-in-law, Bobby and Alice Wilbanks of Hoschton, Georgia, formerly of Banks County and Doug and Jean Wilbanks of Toccoa, Georgia; grandchildren, Tim and Stephanie Wilbanks and Denise Whiten of Toccoa, Georgia, Tammy Wilbanks of Clarkesville, Georgia and Alicia and Jason Graves of Hoschton, Georgia; two great-grandsons, Dylan and Dustin Wilbanks of Toccoa; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Thursday, February 12, 2 O'clock PM in the Hillcrest Chapel of the Acree-Davis Funeral Home with the Reverend Talmadge Chandler and the Rev. Paul Garrison officiating. The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers, Tim Wilbanks, Dylan Wilbanks, Dustin Wilbanks, Clifford Cabe, Charlie Cabe, Joe Goins and Roy Crump. Honorary Escort will be the Monday Morning Coffee Club.

The family will be at the home of Doug and Jean Wilbanks, 462 Currahee Circle, Toccoa and will receive friends at the Acree-Davis Funeral Home on Wednesday, 2 PM to 4 PM and 6 PM to 9 PM and Thursday from 12:30 PM until the service time. The family would like to thank the many loving hands of the people who helped him in his final years.

Flowers are optional. Memorials may be made to The Gideons International, Stephens County Gideons, P.O. Box 663, Toccoa, Georgia 30577 in memory of Mr. Martin Wilbanks.

Interment will be in the Stephens Memorial Gardens with the Acree-Davis Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Martin Estees Wilbanks. Online condolences can be made by visiting the website at www.acree-davisfh.com.