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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                   FORM 12B-25
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                                                      SEC File Number: 000-16461
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                                                         CUSIP Number: 20343H106
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                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING


(Check One): [ ] Form 10-K  [ ]  Form 20-F  [ ]  Form 11-K  [X]  Form 10-Q
             [ ]  Form N-SAR

        For period ended:      March 31, 2001
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         [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K

         [ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F

         [ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K

         [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q

         [ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR

        For the transition period Ended:
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  Read Attached Instruction Sheet Before Preparing Form. Please Print or Type.

      NOTHING IN THIS FORM SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THE COMMISSION
                 HAS VERIFIED ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.

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If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify
the Item(s) to which the notification relates:

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PART I -- REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Community Bancshares, Inc.
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Full Name of Registrant

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Former Name if Applicable

68149 Main Street, P.O. Box 1000
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Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)

Blountsville, Alabama 35031
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City, State and Zip Code

PART II - RULES 12B-25(B) AND (C)

If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should
be completed. (Check box if appropriate.)


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         (a)      The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this
                  form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or
                  expense;

         (b)      The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition
                  report on Form 10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or [X]
[X]               portion thereof, will be filed on or before the fifteenth
                  calendar day following the prescribed due date; or the subject
                  quarterly report of transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion
                  thereof will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day
                  following the prescribed due date; and

         (c)      The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule
                  12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

PART III - NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail the reasons why Forms 10-K, 20-F, 11-K, 10-Q,
N-SAR, or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed within
the prescribed time period.

         The Registrant filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2000 (the "2000 Form 10-K") on April 17, 2001, and it filed an
amendment on Form 10-K/A to the 2000 Form 10-K on May 9, 2001. The Registrant
has been unable to complete its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three
months ended March 31, 2001 (the "Form 10-Q") primarily due to the delay in
completing and filing the 2000 Form 10-K. The delay in completing and filing the
Form 10-Q could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense.

(ATTACH EXTRA SHEETS IF NEEDED)     POTENTIAL PERSONS WHO ARE TO RESPOND TO THE
SEC 1344 (2-99)                     COLLECTION OF INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
                                    FORM ARE NOT REQUIRED TO RESPOND UNLESS THE
                                    FORM DISPLAYS A CURRENTLY VALID OMB CONTROL
                                    NUMBER.

PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION

(1)      Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
         notification

           Kennon R. Patterson, Sr.            (205)                429-1000
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                     (Name)                 (Area Code)       (Telephone Number)
(2)      Have all other periodic reports required under
         Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
         1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act of
         1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such
         shorter period that the registrant was required to
         file such report(s) been filed? If answer is no,
         identify report(s).                                      [X] Yes [ ] No
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(3)      Is it anticipated that any significant change in
         results of operations from the corresponding period
         for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
         earnings statements to be included in the subject
         report or portion thereof?                               [X] Yes [ ] No

         If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both
         narratively and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons
         why a reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made. See Exhibit A
         attached hereto.
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                           Community Bancshares, Inc.
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                  (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.


Date:  May 15, 2001                 By:  /s/ William E. Blackmon
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                                         William E. Blackmon
                                         Acting Chief Financial Officer

INSTRUCTION: The form may be signed by an executive officer of the registrant or
by any other duly authorized representative. The name and title of the person
signing the form shall be typed or printed beneath the signature. If the
statement is signed on behalf of the registrant by an authorized representative
(other than an executive officer), evidence of the representative's authority to
sign on behalf of the registrant shall be filed with the form.

                                    ATTENTION

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            INTENTIONAL MISSTATEMENTS OR OMISSIONS OF FACT CONSTITUTE
               FEDERAL CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS (SEE 18 U.S.C. 1001).
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                              GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1.       This form is required by Rule 12b-25 (17 CFR 240.12b-25) of the General
         Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

2.       One signed original and four conformed copies of this form and
         amendments thereto must be completed and filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, in accordance with Rule
         0-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Act. The information
         contained in or filed with the form will be made a matter of public
         record in the Commission files.

3.       A manually signed copy of the form and amendments thereto shall be
         filed with each national securities exchange on which any class of
         securities of the registrant is registered.

4.       Amendments to the notifications must also be filed on Form 12b-25 but
         need not restate information that has been correctly furnished. The
         form shall be clearly identified as an amended notification.

5.       Electronic Filers. This form shall not be used by electronic filers
         unable to timely file a report solely due to electronic difficulties.
         Filers unable to submit a report within the time period prescribed due
         to difficulties in electronic filing should comply with either Rule 201
         or Rule 202 of Regulation S-T (ss.232.201 or ss.232.202 of this
         chapter) or apply for an adjustment in filing date pursuant to Rule
         13(b) of Regulation S-T (ss.232.13(b) of this Chapter).


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                                    EXHIBIT A

         The financial statements to be included in the Registrant's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2001 are anticipated to
reflect, based on management's current estimates, net income of approximately
$805,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2001, as compared to net income of
approximately $454,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2000.