James Aaron Wilbanks, 101, of Athens, passed away on Friday, August 29th, 2025. Mr. Wilbanks was born on September 6th, 1923, in Coxey, Alabama, to James and Lola Mae (Holmes) Wilbanks.
Mr. Wilbanks is survived by his sons, Roger Keith Wilbanks (Lola) and Steven Mitchell Wilbanks (Cindy); daughters, Angela Anita Armstrong (James) and Dedria Lynn Tinnon (Chris); grandchildren, Justin Keith Wilbanks (Stacey), Bobbie Chatman (Tim), Denise Lee (Michael), Christopher Wilbanks (Morgan), Andrea Wilbanks, Kayleigh Wilbanks, Corey Smith (Erica), Zachary Tinnon, and Emily Strickland (Alex); great-grandchildren, Britt Aldridge, Kayden Lee, Alexis Wilbanks, Reece Wilbanks, Grayson Smith, Aubrey Wilbanks, Caroline Wilbanks, and Connor Ambrosia; great-great-grandchildren, Myles Wilbanks, Clyde Aldridge, and Dolly Aldridge, sisters, Tincy Myers and Ella Ruth Borden; and brother, Buford Wilbanks.
He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Lola Mae Wilbanks; wife, Christine Wilbanks; sister, Doris Ann Collier, and brothers, Billy Ray Wilbanks and Charles Henry Wilbanks.
The funeral service will be Sunday, August 31st, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home, with John Frasier officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, from 1:00 – 2:45 p.m., at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Justin Wilbanks, Christopher Wilbanks, Zachary Tinnon, Alex Strickland, Brad Zirbel, and David Wilbanks. Honorary pallbearers will be James Armstrong, Chris Tinnon, Allen Shaw, Wendell Hammonds, and nephews. Burial will be at Dement Cemetery.
Mr. Wilbanks was a World War II veteran. He loved farming, raising cows, and his tractor. He retired from Redstone Arsenal.
