Earle Bannister

Earle Ronald Bannister Sr., of McAlester, died Friday, Nov. 27, 2015, at his home. The family will receive friends and family from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Chaney-Harkins Funeral Home. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Chaney’s Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Grover Walker officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Chaney-Harkins Funeral Home of McAlester.

Born June 19, 1943, in Washington, D.C., he was the son of Ernest and Ruth Bannister. He attended elementary, high school and college in D.C., graduating from Spingarn High School in 1960. He received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the D.C. Teachers College in 1965. He subsequently received a master’s degree and additional credits during his tenure as an educator in the District of Columbia Public School System.

He married Patricia Phifer on July 6, 1965, in Alexandria, Virginia, and they made their home in Capitol Heights and Beltsville, Maryland. Upon retirement in 1998, they moved to McAlester.

He began his teaching career at Moten Elementary teaching sixth grade. He transferred to Goding Elementary where he remained until he became assistant principal at Payne Elementary. In 1989, he was appointed principal of Cleveland Elementary where he remained until his transfer to LaSalle Elementary. He retired in June 1998. He had a fondness for everything, from collecting squirrels, fishing, camping, painting, music, motorcycles, scuba diving, karate, photography, dogs, birds, horses, sculpting and family. His main passion was teaching children and providing creative and innovative methods for them to learn. He was a member of Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Bannister, of the home; mother, Ruth Bannister, of Maryland; mother-in-law, Wilma Green, of McAlester; daughters, Ronnette Earle and Winston, of Maryland, Ronnyne Bannister, of Maryland, and Jaye Tolbert, of Maryland; son, Earle Bannister Jr., of Maryland; grandchildren, Jordyn and Jayden Tolbert, of Maryland. Also, sisters, Cheryl Rogers and Wilbur, of Washington, D.C., Ernestine Evans and Darryl, of Maryland, Michelle Washington and Brian, of Maryland, Ernestine Fuller and Greg, of Maryland, Sarita Mubarak and Rick, of Maryland, and Linda Cash, of Washington D.C. And, brothers, Ernest J. Bannister and Paulette, of Pennsylvania, Kenneth Bannister and Cheryl, of Maryland, Gordon Bannister, of Washington, D.C., Tilmon Bannister, of Maryland; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; lifelong special brother/sister friends, Edward “Tony” and Helen Jackson, of Maryland, and a special and dedicated cousin, Lee Tasby, of Georgia. He was preceded in death by his father, and brothers, Ernest, Everette and DeCarlo Bannister.