Ms Katherine Joyce Wilbanks

Joyce Ainsworth Wilbanks passed away on September 24, 2025, at the age of 94. She was born June 20, 1931, at her family home in the Marydell Community of Leake County, Mississippi, to Ellis and Rachael Ainsworth. She was the fourth of six children. She graduated from Marydell High School in April 1949. Upon graduation, she moved to Jackson, Mississippi where she worked in the insurance industry for approximately two years before marrying Mack Wilbanks on November 27, 1952. They lived briefly in Meridian before making their home on St. Matt Street in Carthage. They welcomed their first and only girl in November 1953, their first of three sons in November 1954, their second son in October 1955 and their third son in April 1959. She was a stay-at-home mom until her children started school. She began her professional career at Atco Loans. She then began working in the banking industry retiring from there after 26 years. She was an avid sports fan, never missing any of her children's sports activities and attending many of her grandchildren's and great grandchildren's activities. In retirement she enjoyed traveling whether alone, with friends, with the church groups or a girl getaway. She also enjoyed a competitive game of Mexican dominos with friends. She was well known for working tirelessly in her yard and as her grandchildren were fond of saying, "she never allowed a leaf or limb on her yard." Her life was marked by devotion to her family loving to cook for family get togethers. She was also a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Carthage. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mack Wilbanks, her parents, Ellis and Rachael Ainsworth and her siblings, James Ainsworth, Louise Burkes Spence, Fay Nazary, Kendall Ainsworth and Charlene Faulkner King. She is survived by her four children, Wanda Kennedy (Larry McKnight), Billy Mack Wilbanks (Wanda), Bobby Wilbanks (Lisa) and Carl Wilbanks. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Jon David Johnson (Jana), Reid Kennedy, Macy Wilbanks, Austin Wilbanks (Rachael), Julie Taylor (Mark), Jenny Smith (Danny), Ashley Horn (Elonzo), Brandi Searcy (Matthew), and Matt Wilbanks (Ariel) as well as 18 grandchildren. The family wants to extend a very special thank you and love to Sonya Henson, Amina Jones, Toya Dodd and Deidra Parker who provided such loving care and comfort to our Mother and us in her final days. These four ladies will forever hold a special place in our hearts. Thank you also to Quality Hospice for the exceptional care and support they provided. Visitation is 1:30 pm until 3:30 pm Friday, Sept. 26, 2025 at Carthage First Baptist Church. Services are 3:30 pm at Carthage First Baptist Church with Bro. Stephen Evans officiating. Interment is in Leake Memorial Gardens. Wilcox Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Pallbearers will be her grandsons and grandsons-in-law, Jon David Johnson, Reid Kennedy, Austin Wilbanks, Matt Wilbanks, Mark Taylor, Danny Smith, Elonzo Horn, and Matthew Searcy. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the First Baptist Ch