Franklin James Banks, II, 20, of Monroeville drowned at Desoto State Park near Fort Payne in northeast Alabama Friday afternoon.
Banks graduated from from Monroe County High School in 2016 where he was a decorated athlete and student. He was pursuing a Forestry degree while enrolled at Alabama Agriculture and Mechanical University. He played one year for the football and baseball teams at AAMU.
“Franky was a bright spot in the lives of everyone he met,” his mother Carole Banks said. “Young people from all over the state were drawn to him and adults admired and respected our son. People don't have to love your children. They don't have to be kind, but the people who knew Franky, simply fell in love.
“For us as parents, he was everything we could have ever wanted or asked God for. Gentle, charismatic, quirky. In the most recent months, Franky had drawn even closer to God and often proclaimed his love for the Lord.
“He said he could hear the word of God in his head and told his parents just two weeks ago, that God was in him and that he had been studying the word, reading and praying for his family and friends. We are so grateful for the people who loved him. Our hearts are broken, but we are trusting on the Lord and leaning on our community. Thank you to the citizens of Monroe County and all of the surrounding students and families.”
Banks is the son of Frank and Carole Banks. Visitation was held Wednesday at Bethel Baptist Church in Monroeville and his funeral will be held at 3 p.m. today (Thursday) at Bethel Baptist Church.
