Corsicana - A Dual Tribute

Mary was born September 4, 1944, in Dallas, TX to Dr. Atticus James Gill and Lucille Hodge Gill. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and Trinity University. Following in her father's footsteps, Mary attended Southwestern Medical School, the same institution where her father had served as Dean from 1954 to 1967. She began her career following an internship in Austin completing her pathology residency in Dallas. It was in Austin where she met Dr. Jack Bankhead. They married in 1974 and would have celebrated 52 years of marriage on June 16, 2026.

Mary practiced as a pathologist for 30 years, first in Corsicana for over two decades, then in Dallas, where she served as director of pathology with Laboratory Corporation of America until her retirement in 2006. She was later a member of the Dallas Women's Club, Northwood Women's Club, and several book clubs. She passed away on June 5, 2026, after a long battle with chronic bronchiectasis and multiple myeloma.

Jamie was born December 18, 1979, in Dallas to Mary and Jack. She graduated from the Hockaday School in 1998, SMU in 2002, and FIDM in Los Angeles 2003. She moved to New York City in 2004 and eventually became director of clothing production at Marc Jacobs. Diagnosed with breast cancer at age 28 in 2007, Jamie lived with remarkable tenacity for 18 years, receiving treatment first in New York at Memorial Sloan Kettering before continuing care in Dallas. She continued traveling and spending time with family and friends between treatments, and was devoted to her beloved dog, Tallulah Rose Bankhead. She died on December 14, 2025.

Mary and Jamie are survived by Dr. Jack Bankhead, daughter and sister Lisa Coltman, and grandsons/nephews Graham Coltman and Andrew Coltman and his wife Ari. They were preceded in death by Mary's parents, Dr. Atticus J. Gill and Lucille Hodge Gill King; stepfather, Dr. Cary King; and by Jack's parents, Edward and Helen Bankhead.

Both mother and daughter showed extraordinary determination throughout their illnesses, relying on modern medicine, trials and studies (their own contribution to cancer research) to extend their time with us. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Mary and Jamie may be made to the UT Southwestern Cancer Research Fund https://engage.utsouthwestern.edu/bankhead

Or to the Chatfield Methodist Church scholarship fund in Navarro County. Checks payable to Chatfield Methodist Church at P.O. Box 76, Chatfield, TX 75105 "Jamie Bankhead Scholarship Fund" noted in memo.