BANKS Summer—Fall 2011
Plan to attend the
76th Reunion of the Thomas Marion Banks Family Sat., Oct. 8 Cemetery Cleanup Sun., Oct. 9 Family Reunion (details enclosed)
Remembering Mary Ophelia Banks Anderson Mary Ophelia was the first born of Thomas Marion and Georgia DeLura. Born September 3, 1885—on a Thursday—it was a joyous day in the Banks household for it was also the first wedding anniversary of her parents who were married September 3, 1884. And little did she know that 31 years later that date would become her own wedding date, for on September 3, 1916, she married Thomas E. Anderson. Reverend John Wise, who also served as Banks County School Superintendent, performed the wedding ceremony. And again, the coincidences would continue, for 23 years after her own marriage, Reverend Wise would officiate at the wedding of her first born, Thomas E. Anderson, Jr., to Evelyn Hill. Mary Ophelia‟s name was derived, in part, from her grandmother Mary Yarborough, and in part from the uncommon name of Ophelia, the young noblewoman in William Shakespear‟s tragedy “Hamlet.” . Obviously Georgia DeLura had been influenced by the works of the masterful 17 th century writer. The name Ophelia—a mouthful of syllables for young brothers and sisters that would follow—was shortened to “Phee,” and to a cadre of nieces and nephews in the decades after, she became Aunt Phee. Educated in the Stephens County schools, she received a teaching certificate from the finishing school located in Hiawassee, Ga. Upon INSIDE THIS ISSUE graduation, she taught elementary Ophelia Banks Anderson P.2 school in Banks County until she married, a period of about twelve years. continued “What fascinated me most about Mother, was her ability to remember,” Tom E. recalled. “She knew the books of the Bible in sequence, she recited the alphabet backRAFE BANKS P.3 wards, and she had memorized many passages from the works of Shakespeare. And beHistorical novel by Charles Banks P.4 ing the first of ten children, she was a great cook, always knowing when to add a pinch of spice to create that special flavor—banana pudding was among her favorites, calling on a Family News & In Memoriam P.5 recipe passed from many generations. A teacher, her pronunciations were impeccable. She was often teased over the way she pronounced sausage—sah‟sage instead The 23rd biennial reunion of P.6 of the traditional Southern verbiage saw‟sage. Bed linens were boiled in a wrought iron descendants of pot over an open fire, using homemade lye soap. Cousin Tom Banks always commented Ralph and Rachel Jones Banks on the fresh smelling linens when their family visited from Birmingham. And Susie, Ophelia‟s youngest, remembered how her mother could recite from the Book of ProvContact me with your news!! erbs. Quilting was a favorite pastime and Ophelia would invite neighbors in for a Donna Banks Dodd “quilting” and they would all pitch in, using scraps of cloth salvaged from old clothing . 3425 Spinnaker Way All of the children had a quilt especially made for them, and Susie had doll dresses made Acworth, GA 30102 from quilting scraps.” donnabdodd@yahoo.com Ophelia and Thomas E. Anderson resided in Banks County where he was a farmer and merchant. They later moved to Gainesville, Ga., and remained there until his death. Thomas Edward Anderson was born in Banks County, September 12, 1864, and