Ilene Meeks Wilbanks

Ilene Meeks Wilbanks, 83, of Corinth, MS, went to meet Jesus on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at home with her family by her side. She was born in Alcorn County, MS on January 16, 1934 to the late John Booker Meeks and Lottie Dellinger Meeks. Like her parents, Ilene was a lifelong resident of the Gift community in Alcorn County. She was a devout Christian, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Ilene was a lifelong member of Shiloh Baptist Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher and loved her church with all her heart. She was a 1952 graduate of Kossuth High School, a 4-H leader and a member of the Gideon's Auxiliary. Ilene was an expert gardener, loved working in her flowers, enjoyed cooking for her family and friends, and made numerous quilts for her family and others she dearly loved. She was born into a family with six brothers and two sisters and learned early the value of hard work. Her parents, brothers and sisters worked very hard in their farm to make a living. Ilene's legacy of hard work and devotion to her family is shown in the faces of her survivors, all of whom know how to get up early, stay up late and get the job done. She will be forever remembered in the hearts of those she loved. Visitation is scheduled for 5-9 PM Monday, August 14, 2017 and from 12 Noon till service time Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at Magnolia Funeral Home. A celebration of Ilene's life will be held at 2 PM Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at Magnolia Funeral Home Chapel of Memories officiated by Dr. Ron Mitchell and Bro. Philip Caples. Interment will follow in Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers include Curt Reader, Reece Wilbanks, Dusty Roberts, Rodney Callahan, Stephen Riley, Landon Ashe, Daniel Hinton, and Wesley Box. Magnolia Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements. Those left to honor Ilene's memory include her husband of 65 years: Leiman Wilbanks of Corinth, MS; her children: Dianne Whitaker and husband Jimmy, Carol Roberts and Steve Wilbanks all of Corinth, MS; her grandchildren: Whitney Callahan (Rodney), Marley Ashe (Landon), Chelsey Whitaker (fiance Wesley Box), Curt Reader (Lori), Allison Riley (Stephen), Dusty Roberts, Erin Hinton (Daniel), and Reece Wilbanks; her great-grandchildren: Landry Callahan, Finley Callahan, Cambrey Callahan, Mox Callahan, Whit Ashe, Harper Riley, Hadley Riley, Millie Reader, Cahne Reader, Livy Hinton, Lana Hinton, and Lyza Hinton; her brothers: Floyd Meeks (Maxine), Troy Meeks (Martha), and Alvin Meeks (Greta) all of Corinth, MS; her sisters: Virginia Smith and Nelda Mitchell (Ron) all of Corinth, MS; her sisters-in-law: Gloria Meeks of Corinth, MS and Corky Wilbanks of Buena Park, CA; a very special friend and caregiver: Bernice Stafford; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her brothers: Marvin Meeks, Elmer Meeks, and Bobby Meeks; her sister-in-law: Carolyn Meeks; and by her son-in-law: Elvis Roberts. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Shiloh Baptist Church or the Gideon's International PO Box 1603 Corinth, MS 38835. Online condolences may be expressed at magnoliafuneralhome.net.