Melvin Jerome Bannister, (Jerome) 43 of Mechanicsville, MD was born on February 20, 1967 in Leonardtown, Maryland to George and Agnes Nelson-Bannister, Sr. Jerome departed this life suddenly on Saturday, May 22, 2010, at St. Mary's Hospital from complications of a major stroke due to uncontrollable hypertension.

Jerome grew up in St. Mary's County, Maryland and graduated from Chopticon High School in 1986. He would later join the U.S. Army after graduating from high school. During his tenure in the Army, he had the opportunity to explore much of the world before finally settling down at his last duty station in Seattle, Washington.

Jerome was a kind hearted and humorous person who always made everyone smile when he walked into a room. He was very flirtatious and had a good sense of humor. He lived his life to the fullest and enjoyed every precious moment of life. He was a dedicated and great father to his children. He enjoyed being around his family and friends all the time. In fact, he relocated back to Maryland in 2007 to be even closer with his family after the devastating loss of his sister Sharon. His mother Agnes was blessed to have opened up her house to Jerome and his daughter Kha-Aja for the past three years. God knew that he would be calling Jerome home soon, and he made it possible that Jerome and his family were able to bond and build even a closer relationship that everyone was happy with. We are told that just before his final hours, he called out for his sister Tisa. His sister Tisa always tried to inspire and encourage him in so many ways even though she knew he could be stubborn at times. We believe that by Jerome calling her name was his way of telling her I love you and I heard every good thing that you preached to me.

While Jerome was a" hands-on" kind of person and loved staying busy, he also liked to relax by watching sports, and traveling in his spare time. He and his daughter had recently visited his oldest son Stephen and his grandson in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The major highlight of that visit was how highly Jerome spoke of his grandson and was just so proud to be a grandfather. While we will all miss him deeply, we know that he is resting in a better place and he is looking down on us smiling.

Jerome leaves to cherish his fond memories to his parents George and Agnes Bannister, Sr., his four children, Steven(Sandra), Chris, Trejaughn, & Kha-aja,. One grandson Jaiden, his brother George, Jr. (Rena), and his sisters Tisa and Monika (Tim), one nephew J.R. and two nieces Alexis and Aliyah; four special aunts; Mary Bannister (Albert), Shirley Hebb (Aloysius) Emmocene Greenfield (Charles), and Agalee Gibson; six uncles: Walter Nelson (Annie) Joseph Nelson (Vanessa), Francis Nelson (Lorena), Willy Bannister (Connie), Harrison Bannister (Jackie), and a Great Uncle, Augustus Herbert (Elizabeth) and three Great Aunts, Agnes Holly, Grace Miles & Lucy Brown, a very special long time friend Pam Hildebrandt, and a host of relatives and friends.

Jerome is preceded in death by his grandparents, Elijah and Emma Bannister, and George and Edith Nelson; sister Sharon Bannister, uncles; Leroy Bannister, James, George, and Howard Nelson.

Family will receive friends on Friday, May 28, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Morganza, MD where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Reverend Keith Woods, pastor of the church, will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD.

Serving as pallbearers will be Tyrone Bannister, Kelly Holt, Wilbert Beverly, III, George Nelson, Wayne Hebb and Floyd Short. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Eric Baker, Jerome Dent, Francis Hebb, Adrian Nelson, James Smith, Timmy Baker, Larry Harrod, Thomas Hebb, Lamont Nelson, Bernard Thomas, Curtis Carpenter, David Hebb, Wayne Mills, Walter Nelson and Robert Thomas.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD. 20650.