By REVIS BLAYLOCK
NEA Town Courier
County Judge A.A. “Shug” Banks was remembered with a plaque unveiling ceremony at the Mississippi County Courthouse on Thursday afternoon.
Family and friends gathered in the courtroom to honor the legacy of Judge Banks who served as county judge for 20 years, Jan. 1, 1961 to Dec. 31, 1980. He was the longest serving county judge in the history of Mississippi County.
Judge John A. Nelson welcomed guests and introduced guest speaker Chris Villines, executive director of the Association of Arkansas Counties.
Villines commended the county leaders on the beautiful, historic courthouse.
“We get to stand on the shoulders of great ones like Judge Shug Banks,” Villines said.
Among Judge Banks' accomplishments, he is known for his role in shaping the historic Amendment 55, Act 742 of 1977, which redefined and modernized the structure of Arkansas county governments. He was instrumental in founding the Arkansas Association of Counties in 1968, serving as its first president. He served two terms as President of the Arkansas County Judges Association. He was also a board director for the National Association of Counties.
Judge Banks passed away on Oct. 8, 2001, leaving behind a legacy of service.
Villines praised Judge Banks for his leadership at the local and state level.
“We owe the strength of our organization to what Judge Banks did,” Villines said.
Judge Nelson shared his memories of Judge Banks.
“I came back to Mississippi County to farm in August of 1980,” Judge Nelson said. “He got me involved in county government. I ran for justice of the peace and lost the first time. I ran again and won. Like now, we had a great court.”
He talked about the influence of Judge Banks and how much he had learned from him.
Judge Banks' son, Chuck, was the next to speak.
“Usually I am never at a loss for words but from what I’ve seen the county judge has done here, I am speechless,” Chuck Banks said. “Judge Nelson is a visionary. You look to the future. On behalf of my family we want to say thank you. If my father was alive today, he would talk about what is going on in the county today. My father’s legacy is the path of love and service. He loved helping people and he was a man you could depend on. His word was his bond.
“He loved bringing a good, solid working quorum court. He wanted the rural residents to get the same as everyone else in the county. He did not just talk about it, he felt it. There are so many good things going on in this county. You have great mills, the Cold War Museum, and the potential of another base.”
He encouraged everyone not to be negative.
“Before I leave this earth, I believe we will see things we did not expect to happen,” Banks said.
He talked about growing up in South Mississippi County between Whitton and Birdsong just 33 miles from Memphis. He said they were surprised when his dad moved them to Blytheville which was 45 miles away.
“I left here to serve President Ronald Reagan but I did not realize I would be gone so long,” he said. “I am glad to see the mayors and leaders making it still happen. If I can help I will. I love this county and I love what is going on here.”
Dorothy Nash Johnson, retired educator and recorder/treasurer of Birdsong, shared her memories of growing up on the Banks farm.
“I want to talk about the man side of Shug Banks. I grew up on Shug Banks' farm. I lived there with my parents and was one of 13 kids. My dad worked on the farm. In those days there was a dividing line between the races. I never remember Shug Banks making a difference in race. He picked up my dad and they would go riding. Later my dad worked for the county driving a road grader and he did a good job. Judge Banks took care of my father and my father gained because of him. He treated everyone the same. It is my honor to be here today to tell you about the man, Shug Banks.”
Judge Ralph Wilson was the next speaker. He said his mother who is 97 years old and was present at the ceremony served on the quorum court with Judge Banks.
“His love of service has been talked about but I want to add, he was a compassionate, outstanding, hardworking man that loved people,” Wilson said. “It is an honor to be here on behalf of Judge Banks.”
Judge Nelson concluded the ceremony by saying it is their job to continue putting those corner stone bricks on the foundation.
Guests gathered in the foyer of the courtroom where a large plaque honoring Judge Banks was unveiled. The plaque displays a picture and lists some of his contributions to the county and state.