Covington resident Brother Marvin Banks was named "Layperson of the Year" at the 2009 Premiere Trumpet Awards Ceremony hosted by the Atlanta-Rome District Conference of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on April 25. Banks, recognized for his service within his church and other district churches, was selected from 14 nominees in the Lay Counsel Division. Selections for the awards ceremony were made by a committee independent of the church conference.

Nominated by his pastor, the Rev. Dr. Val Jackson of Livingston Chapel C.M.E. Church in Covington, Banks was cited for his tireless work on church repairs, upkeep and maintenance and upgrades to electronic equipment. He also regularly visits the elderly. He has served as a steward chair and choir member and is a trustee and leads the Men's Ministry of Livingston Chapel.

"Relentless Servants of Faith and Service - The Laity, Stewardess and Social Concerns Ministries" was the theme for the event. The banquet, held at Paul D. Middle School in East Point, featured musical tributes by jazz artists Frankie Jamison and Wendy Jackson and a performance by comedian Andrew Ford.

Banks is a former law enforcement officer and retired from John Deere Co. He is currently employed by the Newton County School System and the First Baptist Church of Oxford. He enjoys watching old movies and comedies, fishing, working on electronics and spending time with his wife and six children.