Thomas J. "T.J." Bankston, 79, of the Peoria community in Amite County, passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. He was born on January 25, 1938 in Amite County, Mississippi to Levi Bankston and Eloise Stewart Bankston. He was a member of Robinson Baptist Church where he served as chairman of the deacons. He was a retired Blacksmith with Illinois Central Railroad and was a member of Southwest Mississippi Junior College's 1958 State Championship Football team and served in the Mississippi National Guard. Mr. T.J. was an avid fisherman and hunter. He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Barbara Bankston. Survivors include two sons, Andrew Bankston and wife, Jean Belson Bankston of Katy, TX and Greg Bankston of Liberty; two brothers, Reginald Bankston and Victor Bankston, both of Magnolia; his sister, Patsy Alexander of Southaven, MS; two grandsons, Andrew Bankston, Jr. of San Diego, CA and Colin Bankston of Liberty, TX; three great-grandchildren, Claire Elizabeth Bankston, Stephanie Marianne Bankston and Thomas James Bankston, II and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday at Robinson Baptist Church, 4544A Peoria Road, Liberty, MS 39645 from 5PM until 8PM and Saturday from 10AM until services at 11AM with Rev. Kent Campbell officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of Sharkey Funeral Home in Summit. Pallbearers are Colin Bankston, Andrew Bankston, John McKnight, Evan Thomas, Potts Thomas and Tommy Cook To share condolences please visit catchingsfuneralhome.net