PHILADELPHIA, Miss. — Sharp W. Banks Jr. passed away Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, in Mandeville, La. He was 87 years old.

He served as Superintendent of the Warren County Schools in Vicksburg for 38 years and was known as “the father of the county schools.” The honors he received were numerous but probably the one he treasured most was the Golden Lamp Award given by the state’s School Superintendents Association to the outstanding administrator. He was the first recipient.

He was always visible in the community, serving on the Board of the YMCA and working with the Optimist Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society and the Country Club. He taught the Men’s Bible Class at Gibson Memorial Methodist Church in Vicksburg for 20 years. Those who didn’t know him in person knew his voice from the press box announcing the football games in Warren County for 35 years.

Mr. Banks served in the Navy in World War II as a Radarman Third Class, receiving numerous commendations including the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with four stars.

He is survived by his wife, Winnie Rogers Banks; children, Tere Banks of Columbus, Ohio, Paula Glen DeTrafford (Shelden) of Walker, La., Tina Henson (David) of Mandeville, and George Banks (Pam) of Montesano, Wash.; grandchildren, Elisabeth Huffman and Kathryn Luther, both of Columbus, Rebecca Ramsey of Walker, Amy Ganucheau of Baton Rouge, La., and Melissa Banks of Montesano; and great-grandchildren Anson, Chase and Alyssa Huffman and Sophie Andres.

Visitation will be Tuesday at 11 a.m., with the funeral service following at 2 p.m. in the chapel of McClain-Hays Funeral Home, 1002 E. Main St., Philadelphia, Miss. Interment will follow at Cedarlawn Cemetery. Officiating the service will be the Rev. Tere Banks.