Late Bankole Benoni Cornelius Pratt

Passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2024 — Aged 92

Uncle Bankie passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2024. He had served his purpose. His soul had achieved what it came to do and learned what it came to learn, so he left a contented man. The children, nieces, nephews, in-laws, grandchildren, and friends will forever cherish your memory, even when all else fades. You were always true to us and our favorite. We will carry your absence every single moment.

May you Journey on in Peace

“The memory of Uncle Bankie will be with us forever.”

— Family & Friends

Uncle Bankie's 92nd Birthday Party, July 6, 2024

Uncle Bankie 'Breakin legs' at Nyandah Estelle's graduation party in May 2019 — USA.

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WE WILL MISS YOU

Funeral Arrangements

Obituary

There will be a Vigil on Monday, October 14th, from 7 PM to 8.30 PM at the Unification Church Hall in Allen Town and then at his Residence at Beckley Compound in Allen Town until late. Note: The Livestreaming Zoom Meeting ID: 845 1662 0929 | Passcode: 647228 for the funeral service is the same as for the Vigil night, October 14, 2024: Time: 7 PM – 9 PM GMT (Freetown/Sierra Leone). Your Location Start Time: 08:00 PM London, United Kingdom | 03:00 PM New York/Maryland. Eastern Time (US and Canada) | 02:00 PM Texas (Central Time) | NOON (WST /Pacific Time) | 10:00 PM (Kuwait City, Al Asimah, Kuwait – AST) | 06:00 AM (October 15, 2024, ACT – Sydney, Australia – AEDT). Please click the 'Join Live Stream' button below.

Laying out will be at his Residence from 9.00 AM until 10.30 AM on the 15th of October.

The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, 15th October, at the Unification Church in Allen Town at 11 AM. Note: Three Waka Fine chartered buses will be available to transport mourners. Two buses will depart from the Youyi Building pickup point at 8:15 AM. to take attendees to the viewing and funeral service in Allen Town. Following the viewing, another bus will leave from his residence at Beckley Compound in Allen Town at 10:30 AM. After the funeral service, all buses will proceed to the Kissy Road Cemetery and return to their pickup points after the burial.

Internment at the Kissy Road Cemetery.

Zoom Information

Unification Church, Allen Town

Livestream: Tuesday, October 15, 2024, | Time: 08:00 AM GMT (Freetown/Sierra Leone) | 09:00 AM London, United Kingdom | 04:00 AM New York/Maryland. Eastern Time (US and Canada) | 03:00 AM Texas (Central Time) | 01:00 AM (WST /Pacific Time) | 11:00 AM (Kuwait City, Al Asimah, Kuwait – AST) | 07:00 PM (October 15, 2024, ACT – Sydney, Australia – AEDT)

Please click 'Join Live Stream':

Meeting ID: 845 1662 0929 | Passcode: 647228

ABOUT: Bankole Benoni Cornelius PRATT. born in York Village in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on July 3, 1932, to the parents of Omolabi and Salomi Pratt. He was the third child of his siblings: Sylvanus, Emanuel, Lovetta, Ajua, and Simeon. After the passing of his parents, Bankole was raised by his grandparents. He attended Tabernacle Primary School on Circular Road in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Bankole began his career in the 1950s as a motor trainee at Sierra Leone Selection Trust (N.D.M.C.) and was sent to the U.K. for further mechanics training. He also spent time in Monrovia, Liberia, around 1963 and also worked for Stavey. Bankole dedicated ten years as a private mechanic and later lived in Lungi, eventually joining Sierra Leone National Airlines. He also worked at Delco House as a ticket agent. In 1980, Bankole became actively involved in the Unification Church, and in 1981, he pursued a new path as a carpenter. Bankole was blessed in marriage to the late Mary James, with whom he had five children: Juliet (who sadly passed away as a child) Ayo, Mariam, Femi, and the late Christina. In 1992, Bankole remarried, being blessed in matrimony to the late Marie-Lousie Ntumba Kabeya, as his church would say. Bankole had a love for reading, journaling, and fixing old items like radios and fans.

Bankole will forever be remembered for his kindness, warmth, and the positive impact he had on everyone who knew him. Though he may no longer be with us, his spirit lives on in the cherished memories, love, and lessons he left behind. We take comfort in knowing that Bankole lived a full and meaningful life, and he will always hold a special place in our hearts. May he rest in peace, surrounded by the love he gave so freely.

The family of Bankole Benoni Cornelius Pratt would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has offered support, comfort, and kindness during this difficult time. Your words, prayers, and presence have meant the world to us as we navigate this profound loss. We are deeply touched by the love and compassion shown by friends, family, and the community, and we find strength in knowing how much Bankole was cherished by so many. Thank you for being a part of his life and for keeping his memory alive in your hearts.

It Is Well

“Uncle Bankie Journey Home”

— The Video

Coming Soon!