Jerry Lloyd “Sonny” Bankhead passed away on Feb. 7, 2023 into the presence of his heavenly Father and his family by his side at ECU Vidant Hospital at the age of 84.
He was born in Hamlet to Joseph Lowry Bankhead (Jake) and Sallie Mae McDuffie Bankhead.
Sonny is survived by his two sons and their families: Scott Bankhead (Asheboro), his wife Kelly, grandson Alec Bankhead (Cincinnati, Ohio), granddaughters Sarah B. Mulligan (Raleigh) and Karson Bankhead (New York City, New York); Todd Bankhead (Blacksburg, Virginia), his wife Carole, grandsons Tyler Bankhead, his wife Laura (Charlotte), and Harrison Bankhead (Atlanta, Georgia); two sisters and their families, Judy Helms (Greensboro) (husband Don, deceased), nephew Brandon Helms, his wife Alicia and their daughter Blakely, niece Lindsay Adcock, her husband Tim, and their sons Camdon and Huntley; sister, Linda Seawell of Rockingham (Husband Herman, deceased) and her daughters Amy, Duffy and Ashley.
“Sonny” graduated from Hamlet High School where he was a three-sport athlete, football, baseball and track. He attended Marion Military College in Marion, Alabama and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, before graduating from N.C. State College. Jerry spent his entire work life as an executive in the textiles and home fashion industries. Burlington Industries, Springs Industries and Excell Linde were a few of the companies he helped manage.
Jerry retired in 2006 and enjoyed his retirement years spending time with his sons and their families, his church (Stoney Creek), teaching his Sunday school class, spending time with his sisters and their families, doing volunteer work in his community, and playing golf with his many friends in and around Goldsboro. Jerry was a member of Lane Tree Golf Club and Goldsboro Country Club. He enjoyed his senior golf groups that played in and around the eastern part of N.C.
Jerry was an active member of the Goldsboro Rotary Club, and the Goldsboro Kiwanis Club. One of his great joys was working as a volunteer for the Kiwanis Club Miniature Train at Herman Park, Goldsboro, and enjoying the many children and their parents who rode the train.
Memorials in honor of Jerry can be given to Stoney Creek Church, 752 Stoney Creek Church Road, Goldsboro, NC 27534; and/or donate to the Goldsboro Kiwanis Miniature Train: kiwanis-club-of-goldsboro-foundation.square.site. Help us upgrade the train!
Arrangements by Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
