Mark W Fairbanks

Funeral services for Mr. Mark W. Fairbanks will begin at 10:30 am Thursday, December 19, 2019 at First Baptist Church, Meridian, with Reverends Dr. Nathan VanHorn, Dr. Raymon Leake, and David Bishop officiating with service music provided by Mr. Barry Germany. Interment will follow at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton at 1:00 pm. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mr. Fairbanks, 64, of Meridian passed away Friday, December 13, 2019 at Anderson Regional Medical Center.

A native of Waterloo, Iowa, and avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, Mark joined the U.S. Navy serving numerous deployments and missions before retiring after 23 years. Following his retirement, he continued his service at the Naval Air Station in Meridian, MS where he continued to work for the Maintenance Control Desk at Vertex Aerospace for an additional 18 years as a civilian. Mark was a member of First Baptist Church of Meridian, where he was an active member of The Fellowship Sunday School Class; served as a deacon; and was active in the transportation ministry as well as the media ministry. Above all things, Mark loved sharing his faith, serving his Lord, and living out the gospel through his life; His faith never wavered and always held close to the promises of God. “Grampy” as he was affectionately known by his three grandchildren loved spending time, playing with, and spoiling them.

Mark is survived by his wife of nearly 41 years, Diane Fairbanks; children, Carri Morse (Matthew); Erin Whitt (Travis); grandchildren, Emma Whitt, Carson Morse and Abigale Rose Morse; father, Harry Fairbanks; brothers, Tim Fairbanks (Bonnie), Steve Fairbanks, Joe Fairbanks (Rhonda); sister, Miriam Kauten (Steve) as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Mark was able to greet his mother in heaven shortly after he arrived on Friday, December 13; Mrs. Darlene Fairbanks was reunited in the presence of their Lord a few hours after Mark. Mark was preceded in death by his infant brother, David Fairbanks.

The family suggests memorials be made as donations to The American Cancer Society or to The Wounded Warriors Project in lieu of flowers.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com

The Fairbanks family will receive friends from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at the funeral home.