Lawran Elizabeth Bankston Richter, surrounded by loved ones, passed away on May 10, 2026, at Pine Forest Nursing Home after many, lengthy complications from surgery. She was 68.

Lawran was born to Louise and Miller Bankston on September 8, 1957. She was the second of three children who (at the time) resided in Raymond, MS. In 1963 her family moved to Laurel, Mississippi, where she spent her formative years. A notable memory from her time in elementary school was, after a few months of piano lessons, Lawran announced that playing the piano didn’t “speak to her soul”. This led to her mother switching her to art classes, where Lawran’s passion never stopped growing.

During her high school years, Lawran was active in Girl Scouts and theatre. She headed up the costume committee for the annual R. H. Watkins High School musicals.

Following her high school graduation, Lawran attended Jones Junior College. She transferred from there to Mississippi State University where she combined her appreciation of nature with love of art by majoring in Landscape Architecture. In 1977 Lawran entered the Co-op program and took part-time employment with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. In 1980 she graduated Magna Cum Ladae and was in the National Honor Society. Shortly following her graduation, Lawran journeyed through western Europe with a few to-be lifelong friends before accepting a fulltime position with USACE.

In 1988 she met Mark , accepted his proposal for a life together, and married in September of 1989. Together they built a life in Vicksburg, MS. They were to be blessed with the opportunity to adopt two children, Shannon on November 12, 1994 and Jeremy on March 1, 1998. In addition to participation with local garden clubs and activities with her Sunday School class, Lawran added soccer, little league baseball, scouts, and numismatic events to her routine. She also took joy in planning various family adventures that would take her to all 50 U.S. capitol buildings.

After dedicating 40 years in her career, Lawran retired in 2017 allowing her more time to travel, paint, visit friends, and continue volunteering at the Lower MS river museum where she was well known.

Lawran will be remembered for her love of the color pink, dachshunds, chocolate, determination and energetic attitude. Above all, her devout loyalty and commitment to her church and family will be dearly missed.

She is preceded in death by her parents Miller and Lou Bankston.

Lawran is survived by her husband, Mark Richter; her children Shannon Richter Stockett (Andrew) and Jeremy Richter; her grandchildren Jacey, Mia, Sophia, and Eli; her brother, David Bankston (Beth) and sister, Barbara Behrends (John); and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

She is preceded in death

A memorial service + picnic will begin at 11 AM, June 6, 2026, in Floral Hall of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church, Vicksburg, Mississippi, Reverend Tom Potter is the pastor.

In lieu of flowers, Lawran’s family requests that donations be made to the Organ Fund at Crawford Street United Methodist Church. The intent of this fund is to repair and improve the, nearly, century-old organ in time for the bicentennial celebration of CSUMC in 2036. Checks can be made to “CSUMC” with “Organ Fund, Lawran” being noted. The mailing address is:

CSUMC

900 Crawford Street

Vicksburg, MS 39180