David Mallory Banister

Celebration of life services will be held for David Mallory Banister on Friday, August 18th, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel in Minden, Louisiana, with the Rev. William Smith officiating.  Interment will follow at Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Minden, LA.  Visitation will be held immediately prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

David Banister was known by his family and friends as Mallory.  He was born May 7th, 1940 to Joseph Baskin Banister and Catherine Vella McMahon in Natchez, MS.  He passed from this life to his eternal home on August 14, 2023 in Humble, TX.  Mallory is survived by his wife of 57 years, Linda Jones Banister, daughters Julie Banister Nickell and Karen Banister Mills, son-in-law Bruce Nickell, and grandchildren David Nickell, Jessica Nickell, James Mills, and Jacob Mills.  He is preceded in death by his beloved mother and step-father, Vella McMahon McKaskle, James Franklin McKaskle, sister Bobbye Faye Berry and husband, Elbert, nephew Robert Warren Berry, niece Debby Berry Madden, and numerous cousins, including his beloved Betty Lou Lucas (known affectionately as Boo).

Mallory graduated from the University of Louisiana (formerly Northeast Louisiana University) with a Bachelors in elementary education, followed by a Masters plus 30 hours in guidance from Mississippi College.  He served others in his chosen profession as an educator and high school guidance counselor, retiring after 33 years of service from West Monroe High School.  He is remembered as being generous and kind by the students in his charge.  He is remembered by his colleagues for his strong work ethic and terrific sense of humor.

First and foremost, Mallory Banister loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  He served the Lord faithfully for many years as church organist in various congregations, including fourteen years at Lakeshore Baptist Church in Monroe, LA.  He taught his children and grandchildren about the love of Christ, and faithfully exhibited the fruit of the Holy Spirit throughout his life.  He is living now in his eternal home, having accepted the free gift of eternal life offered by grace through the death and resurrection of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.  Because of the hope of the resurrected Christ, we mourn his earthly loss with anticipation and joy, knowing that we will be reunited with him for eternity.

Mallory also loved his family.  He modeled the virtues of humility, hard work, loyalty and perseverance.  He was known as a gentle giant, towering over most at a height of 6’ 5”.  As a young adult, he loved playing and coaching basketball.  He loved to laugh and have fun with his friends and family, and is remembered for his skills on the dance floor.  He listened well, and gave his time and attention freely to anyone in need.  He loved cardinals, clocks, cookbooks, sewing, and listening to Southern Gospel music.  He was a wonderful cook who made pralines, rum cakes, and Lizzie cookies for family and friends at Christmas, and home-cooked meals of gumbo, shrimp etouffee, and fried chicken with fresh vegetables routinely for his family.  He was fiercely supportive and protective of his children.  He is irreplaceable and will be remembered with love and gratitude by all who were fortunate enough to have known him.  Thank you, Lord, for letting Mallory Banister be our daddy and the grandfather to our children.  We couldn’t have asked for a better father, and we look forward to the day when we will see him again.