Leonard Henry Banks

The following article is written by Nora Fleming Figger.

Like a still river that flows through the community and the city, we remember the good it did for those who used it and benefited from its use, so do we want to remember those who made it a pleasant place to live and gave it character that we will remember today and all the days of our lives.

One citizen that comes to my memory is Leonard Henry Banks of Burdine, Kentucky. As I read his "Citizen of the Year" plaque, it brought back many memories. It went as follows: May 31, 1964 to Leonard H. Banks, "Reverently beloved. For the person you are; Merchant, Postmaster, and Friend; Generous and affectionately respected by your community."

He was born at Dongola, Kentucky on January 10, 1901, and came to McRoberts, Kentucky in 1916 to work for the Consolidation Stores. First, he was drayman to deliver groceries and ice, then the first to manage Tom Biggs store. He spent years at McRoberts until 1933.

He married Mattie Collins when he was nineteen years and raised a nice family. He always dedicated himself to the community in which he resided. He came to Gaskilº in 1933 and then to Burdine in 1934, where he resided until his death on December 5, 1971.

During these years, he managed Burdine Store and then went into business for himself in 1946. He not only managed the store, he was postmaster, and at one time, Mayor of Jenkins.

Mr. Banks was a very civic-minded citizen and was known for his help to his community all the way to the United States Congress. He was an active Boy Scout committee member from 1934 to 1971. He supported all school activities, and was active in the Kiwanis, the Quarterback Club, and was made a Kentucky Colonel in June, 1964.

The thing that made Mr. Banks so outstanding was the character of the man that he was. First, he was taught all his life what the teachings of the Free and Accepted Masons meant. His life was to love and serve his fellow man and his reverence to God. When but a youth, he joined Whitesburg Masonic Lodge No. 754 and P. S. Wheeler Council No. 99 R&SM. He believed in the "Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God." All of these made him a great man to know and love.

We have had many good people pass our way, but this man is one who lives in the history of those who cared and made Jenkins a better place in which to live. His still waters have run deep into our hearts and he is one that would like to have been at this great gathering of past memories of Jenkins. I would like to G‑32remember him as a bridge builder for those who needed him.

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