Decatur Bankhead, age 61, died Monday, January 15, 2007. He was born in Corinth, Mississippi on May 22, 1945, a son of Carrie Bankhead Johnson Stokes and the late Decatur Harris. He came to Erie at the age of three.

Decatur graduated from Strong Vincent High School, attended Gannon University and graduated from Edinboro University.

He worked for the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, was a sergeant in the Corrections Department in Mercer, and also worked for Pinkerton Security in Erie. He was a member of the First Good Samaritan AME Zion Church, the Elks Club, taught Black History at the Martin Luther King Center, and enjoyed golf, bowling and fishing.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his stepsister Jeannette Gain and two dear friends; Joan Gardel and Merva Martin.

In addition to his mother, survivors include his stepsister; Margaret Clark of Erie; four Godchildren; Charla Thomas and Carrie Thomas of Philadelphia, Paul Martin “Esquire” of N. J. and Mike Martin of Harrisburg.

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Arrangements by Burton Funeral Home, 602 West 10th Street. Memorials may be made to the Martin Luther King Center, 312 Chestnut Street, Erie PA 16507.

Published in the Erie Times-News from 1/17/2007 - 1/18/2007.