Mrs. Lavada Mae Bankston, 90, a lifelong resident of Newton County, died Nov. 14 at Covington Manor Nursing Home. The daughter of the late Florence and Minnie Johnson, she was born in Newton County in 1917. She worked 35 years as a spinner at Bibb Manufacturing. Mrs. Bankston was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses. She loved flowers and working in her yard. Mrs. Bankston loved her family and enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a loving caregiver for her family. She also loved her animals, especially Doodle. Mrs. Bankston is preceded in death by parents and husband Fred Bankston Sr.

Surviving are sons and daughters-in-law Fred and Kay Bankston of Covington, Wayne and Vicky Bankston of Covington; daughter and son-in-law; Gail and Bill Sadler of Rutledge; sisters Gladys Duke of Warner Robins, Willodine Montalbano of Marietta; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; numerous other family and close friends.

The family will receive friends at Wheeler Funeral Home today, Nov. 16, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday, Nov. 17, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Wheeler Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Thompson officiating. Interment will follow at Cornish Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery. Flowers will be accepted or donations can be made to the Alzheimer