BANKS Winter—Spring 2009 Bertie Volina Banks & William Rodolph Dixon Aunt Bertie & Uncle Willard Bertie Volina Banks was born September 20, 1905, in Stephens County, Georgia. She was the youngest of eleven children and the only child of Thomas Marion and Sarah Thomason Aderholdt Banks. She grew up in Stephens County in the area where the family had lived since the early 1800s. Bertie attended Cannon’s Academy and graduated from the State Normal School—former name of the University of Georgia in Athens. Job opportunities led Bertie, her parents and other family members, to Charlotte, NC., where John, an older brother, had already relocated. Bertie taught in the Charlotte school system and, in time, met Willard Dixon. Willard was employed by the Southeastern Railroad Company and later, by the Railway Express Agency. Following a courtship, Willard and Bertie were married August 8, 1929 and remained in Charlotte. Shortly after the birth of their first child, Willard was transferred to Spartanburg, SC. Later, another transfer took him to Greenville, SC, where their daughters were born. Willard continued with the Railway Express Agency, eventually moving his young family to the country, and Bertie returned to the life she so dearly loved: farming. She loved the soil and would spend long hours in the fields tending the crops and caring for the livestock. During this time their fourth child was born and her family was complete. Sensing a need to be closer to the city, Bertie and Willard purchased land on Augusta Road and proceeded to build their dream More . . . P.2 house. During the construcAuntInside Bertie & Uncle Willard this issue: tion stage, Bertie performed the duties of building superin2009 Banks Reunion in Virginia P.3 tendent and devoting time to her garden. As the children Pearl Street P.4 grew older, demanding less of Charles Banks her time, she began working at Belk’s and later at Ivey’s,. She always wanted to return to Family News & Announcements P.5 teaching, but South Carolina had an archaic law that prohibThe Dress—Jeri Stapleton P.5 ited married women from teaching. Later, as the law was amended she returned to teaching full time and taught at East Gantt until her retirement.
A Salute to our Banks Historians Diane (Banks) Leonard
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Married 8 August 1929, the newlyweds pose for a picture Bertie in her wedding dress, and Willard wearing his dapper three piece suit. At Bertie & Willard’s 50th anniversary Willard Rodolph Dixon was born November 17, 1901, in Johnson celebration, granddaughter, Patricia Roper wore the dress, County, Georgia. Willard grew up in the small community of Tom, and it fit perfectly! Continued page 2