Sept. 24, 2000 – Feb. 26, 2020

Natchez — Services for Sterling Banks Yarbrough, 19, are 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at First Baptist Church with Brother Doug Broome officiating under the direction of Laird Funeral Home. Visitation will be from noon until service time Saturday at the church.

With deepest sorrow, the family of Sterling announces that he passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, near McComb, Mississippi. He was born on Sept. 24, 2000, in Monroe, Georgia to Brad Yarbrough and Lena McKnight.

Although only 19 at the time of his death, Sterling affected many people in his lifetime. Those who knew Sterling, even just a little, lost a shining light in their lives.

Sterling will be missed every day by his parents; his stepfather, Tim McKnight; brother, Hunter Yarbrough; grandmother, Pam Yarbrough; grandmother, Mary Brandenburg, and grandfather Pat Brandenburg; uncle, Chuck Yarbrough and his wife, Laura; uncle, Patrick Brandenburg, and his wife, Donna; and cousins, Trice and Merrit Yarbrough, Billy and Casey Brandenburg and many great friends.

We know that Sterling is now with his grandfather, Charles “Yogi” Yarbrough, and is loved here on earth as well as in Heaven.

Sterling was a student of Trinity Episcopal School and a 2019 graduate of Adams County Christian School. Sterling was deeply committed to football and his family of teammates. In 2017 he was awarded the MAIS A Quarterback of the year. In 2018 Sterling was awarded the Natchez Democrat All-Metro first-team Quarterback leading the team to MAIS AAA State Championship. He was selected to the MAIS All-Star team and was named the offensive MVP. He attended Hinds Community College and was a member of the Hinds Eagles Football Team.

In addition to football, he excelled in many other sports, including baseball, basketball and track. At the age of 14, Sterling was the youngest person to compete and complete Expedition Alaska, a non-stop eight-day race. Sterling enjoyed travels with his family, including snow skiing in Utah, surfing in Costa Rica and Australia and climbing volcanoes in Costa Rica. His trip to Tanzania, Africa helped to further broaden his mind with charity work at a local orphanage and with experiencing the raw, untouched world of the Serengeti.

Sterling’s favorite time was spent simply hanging out with his friends. The love he had for his “brothers” was immeasurable and we know he will continue to watch all of them from above as they reach high for their goals and succeed in his honor.

Sterling’s leadership skills could be seen on and off the football field as he consistently strived to better himself and others around him, eventually landing a Citizenship Award, induction into the National Honor Society as well as a member of the Natchez Youth Leadership.

Sterling was a kind and quiet young man who was loved by his teachers, coaches and he was a friend to everyone who crossed his path. His presence in our community will be greatly missed by all.

Pallbearers are Hunter Yarbrough, Jakarius Caston, Dee Fleming, CJ Green, Dawson Parker, Manny Singh, and Desanto Rollins. Honorary pallbearers also include his teammates and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Natchez Adams County Humane Society at www.nachs.org or mail to 475 Liberty Road, Natchez, MS.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.