of Waukegan, IL

July 29, 1963 - September 29, 2015

Sarah Marie Martin Bankhead, 52, a resident of Waukegan, Illinois formerly of Paris passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2015, in Waukegan, Illinois.

Sarah Marie Martin Bankhead was born July 29, 1963, to the union of the late Johnnie and Betty Martin in Ozark, Arkansas. Sarah attended elementary and high school in Paris, Arkansas. She then attended Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas, majoring in education. She then went on to teach in Waukegan, Illinois for 22 years. During her 30-year career she was honored in February 2015 as the Outstanding Educator of the Year, by NAUW, The National Association of University of Women, the Rising Star Award. For the year 2013- 2014 Sarah was a second place runner up for the states, Those who Excel Award, A State of Illinois Teacher of the Year award, to honor excellence in teaching. During her pursuit Sarah became a loving mother of Demetrius J. Bankhead and Brianna S. Bankhead, her greatest reward ever. In 2008 Sarah became an assistant principal and then in 2014 served as principal up until her passing.

Those left to cherish her memory two children, Demetrius J. Bankhead and Brianna S. Bankhead of Waukegan, Illinois; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Leigh Ann and Ray Bates of Paris, Priscilla J Haynes, Melissa A. Martin and Barbara L. and Derrell Wilkes of Fort Smith; two nephews; six nieces; two great nephews; one great niece and a close friend, William Jackson, along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Monday, October 5, 2015, at Poole's Temple in Gray Rock with Bro. William Brown and Pastor Cleveland Campbell officiating. Burial will follow in the Gray Rock Cemetery near Paris under the direction of Roller Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Eric Haynes, Robert Ellingburg III, Gary Barnes, Richard Brown, James Collier and Daiquon Jackson.

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