BANKS SUMMER-FALL 2012 March 23, 1931 June 12, 2012 Charles W. Banks Following a lengthy and courageous battle with breast cancer and chronic pulmonary disease, Charles Banks was surrendered into the hands of God on June 12, 2012. Charles was born March 23, 1931, in Spartanburg, SC. Son of the late John A. and Susie Williams Banks, he attended schools in Spartanburg and graduated from the University of South Carolina at Columbia. His business career began with The Kendall Company in Charlotte and the last twenty years were devoted to commercial real estate where he specialized in hotel/motel sales. A veteran of the Korean War, he served aboard the destroyer USS McGowan as part of Task Force 77 in and around the Korean Peninsula in 1952 and 1953. In recent years Charles devoted time to writing and was successful in having a manuscript selected for publication. Steel Warrior, a Korean War-era novel was published in April 2005. A mystery, Chase The Darkness, his second novel, was published in February 2007. An Emeritus Life Associate, he was past president of the Charlotte Chapter, Institute of Management Accountants; past president of the Charlotte Alumni Association, Delta Sigma Pi; and Tin Can Sailor's Association. He also served ten years as president of the Banks Family Association, where he initiated and published a quarterly newsletter to his extended family of cousins that often included vignettes he had written of early family members. Charles is survived by Dee Banks, his beloved wife of 57 years; brother John Banks and wife Eleanor, Tampa, FL; brother George Banks and wife Norma, Spartanburg, SC; son Barry Banks and wife Debra, Wellford, SC; son Michael Banks and wife Rita, Monroe, NC; daughter Susan Banks Banbury and husband Jim, Charlotte; daughter Lisa Banks Kimball and husband Brett, Charlotte; and beloved grand children - Michael, Matthew, Gina and Kelley - who showered him with affection and honored him with the name "Poppy."
Thomas Marion Banks Family Reunion (details inside) October 13 &14
Our love and deepest sympathy goes out to our precious cousins— the families of brothers, Charles and John Banks. … As we say good-bye to two of our own, may it always comfort us to know ….. the family tree will always grow. (from Vince, The Family Tree, Spin Art)
March 1, 1927 July 7, 2012 John Allen Banks, Jr. After subsequent complications from an earlier fall, John Banks passed away July 7, 2012. John was born March 1, 1927 in Spartanburg, SC. Son of the late John A. and Susie Williams Banks, he attended and graduated from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. A veteran of both WWII and the Korean War, John served aboard Navy destroyer ship, USS Steinaker, John and Eleanor lived in Baltimore, Maryland for much of their early married life, where John worked for Shell Oil Company. The family moved to Greenwood, South Carolina after his retirement. Golf was John’s favorite pastime, and three days out of the week you could find him on the golf course pulling his own cart and walking the 18 hole course. He delighted in this accomplishment of ’shooting his age’ when he was in his early 70’s.. John is survived by Eleanor Stewart Banks, his wife of 57 years, Tampa, Fl; brother George and wife Norma, Spartanburg, SC; son John Allen, III and wife Margie, Tampa, Fl; daughter Liz Englander and husband Owen, Wesley Chapel, Fl; and three grandchildren, John Allen Banks, IV, Aaron Douglas Banks, and Nancy Caroline Englander. A small family memorial service was held at the John Knox Village Chapel. (Tampa) John and Charles Banks at a Banks Family Reunion
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From the Gertrude Banks Prince Branch:
From the Groves Banks Branch: Ashley (one of my daughters) and I were in a car wreck, which totaled Ashley’s car! Ashley is 5 months pregnant and is expecting Jan. 2, 2013. She's been in the hospital twice since the wreck. I ask you to pray that she is able to carry full term, and that the baby is fine. Also, my husband and I are expanding our business to NM, and moving after the new year. Gotta be here for the arrival of the new bundle of joy. Sherry is daughter of Tommy Banks, granddaughter of Verner Banks. Sherry Banks Cieslukowski Mari and Sean Gayler each received their first-degree black belts in Tae Kwon Do on May 19, becoming the first sister-brother team to do so at the North Canton , Ohio YMCA. Mom, Renee is two belts behind them. Congratulations to Mari, Sean AND ReneeMari and Sean are children of Paul and Renee Gayler. Paul is son of the late Bill Banks of Carnesville, GA.
Marlene Banks and grandson JT Banks took a memory making trip to California this summer. The trip held a lot of "firsts" for a wide-eyed 7 year old boy. JT took his first plane ride, met some of his California relatives for the first time, saw the Golden Gate Bridge up close and personal on the Bay Cruise, went to Yosemite to see the "big rocks", and to top his list...spent 3 days at Disneyland! We also toured Columbia Historic State Park and rode a stagecoach, visited Railtown 1897 State Park and rode the old train used in the filming of "Petticoat Junction" as well as other movies. It was a fun-filled two weeks that I'm sure we will never forget! While JT and I were on our California adventure, Eddie stayed behind and rode his beautiful Arabian mare, Venus. He took several trail rides through State Parks and the National Forest. We all had a wonderful, exciting, best summer ever!!! JT is the son of Alan & Kristy Banks, grandson of Ed & Marlene Banks.
In March, Jeri Stapleton submitted a recipe to Good Housekeeping for their Cook Your Heart Out cooking contest. (Heart healthy). She has been selected as a NATIONAL FINALIST, and will be in New York City on October 11-14 for the competition. Beth Stapleton (daughter of Jeri and James) who is foreign language professor at Mississippi College, has joined a travel agency in her spare time. This is relevant for her because she arranges group and individual travel for her college all the time. If anyone in the Banks family is planning a trip, she would love to give you a price, itinerary, etc. Her email address is stapleto@mc.edu. Her travel company is www.getoutthemap.com.
Rob Stapleton (son of Jeri & James) has completed his two years of classroom learning for medical school and has passed the medical boards. He will be in Pensacola Florida for two-three years for his clinical rotations and possibly residency. Allison McGrath (daughter of Jeri and James) has been promoted to manager of the entire Operating Room for Memorial hospital in Savannah. Alison’s husband, Patrick McGrath, was deployed on Aug. 21 for 6 months in Afghanistan. Please remember him in your prayers. Jeri is daughter of Gertrude Banks Prince and Haynie. Prince.
From the Viola Banks Byrum Branch: Kathy & Larry Ryan went to the Family Reunion on Larry's side of the family. This year, it was held at a state park in WV, allowing many of the young families living in the Wash DC area to attend. These people were descendants of Larry's grandmother (who was born in 1898). Before and after that week, we visited friends in Maggie Valley, NC, and then relatives in Quincy, MA, and other friends in NJ and NC before heading home. Last Thanksgiving, when Larry suffered a stroke, I thought we might not be able to travel the country again. But with a lot of physical therapy and lifestyle changes, Larry was able to walk again and drive again, and enjoy life. He just had cataract surgery in August, and now does not have to wear glasses (while he is outside putting up our hurricane shutters to avoid any damage from "Isaac"). We enjoy keeping up with our cousins on Facebook, and getting to know our cousins' children on this social media. We are attending the Banks Family Reunion this year along with my sister, Connie Jahnke. Kathy and Connie are daughters of Betty Byrum & John Hatch. .
From the Alice Banks Terrell Branch: Rusty Terrell and good friends Stanley Brooks and Jason Hanley went to Sturgis, SD for the annual Motorcycle Rally. We were in Sturgis on August 5th till August 13 touring the area and also went to Yellow Stone Park on August 8th. Rusty Terrell Alicia Speers and Sam Daugherty are Getting Married on September 21st which is also Rusty and Karen’s anniversary. Rusty is the son of Banks and Inez Terrell. Alicia is daughter of Rusty and Karen Terrell
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T H A N K YO U , C O U S I N C H A R L E S March 23, 1931—June 12, 2012
C
harles was such a kind and giving man to his cousins. We all adored him. He became my mentor in 2004, when he asked me to succeed him in overseeing the reunions and publishing the Banks newsletters. He encouraged me. We talked and emailed often. I loved his sense of humor. We celebrate Cousin Charles for the mark he made on our family, for the vital role he has played in helping the Banks family see and feel the lives of our ancestors through his creative writing --- a gift we deeply cherish, as will the many generations to come. I truly miss him. -Donna Banks Dodd
T
here’s such a tight bond when we’re united in sadness. Joined together, we’re able to have a better perspective and deeper understanding of the value of life and family. Cousin Charles was my hero. It got to the point when I couldn’t wait to see him at the family reunions. And, as with all of daddy’s other cousins, the more time I spent getting to know him, the more faded the line between the two generations became. As a matter of fact, at our reunions when it’s time to take the pictures of the different generations, I’m always a little thrown back that George and Norma aren’t in our group. Life is good; Life is short. I’m blessed to be a Banks. -Diane Banks Leonard
C
harles Banks was a fine man, a good father and husband, a good Christian, a talented writer, and a GREAT cousin. "I am proud to 'claim kin' to him. -Jeri Stapleton
Above: George & Norma Banks, Suzie Banks (mother), Charles Banks, Eleanor & John Banks Left: Charles Banks and daughter Lisa (Kimball) Below: Verner Banks, Banks Terrell and Charles
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Dear Donna, I want to say Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for the last Banks Newsletter (Sept. 2011), which had the picture of my grandparents on the front. I was amazed to see Daddy with his parents and brothers and sister — and even a picture of my mom, dad and me at Aunt Bertie’s and Uncle Willard’s in 1963! All of the newsletters are special to me, but of course this one is especially so. I would like very much to be able to see all of you in person, and it is among my most cherished desires to one day be able to attend a reunion! In the meantime, I just consider myself very much blessed to be part of such an extensive and loving family! I’m just one little twig, but I am happy and proud to be part of the Banks Family Tree! Much love to you and to all . Your cousin, Shelley Anderson.
VERY Special thanks to George and Norma Banks for their ideas and contributions to this newsletter
This Thomas is the great, great, grandfather of OUR Thomas Marion Banks (1862-1941) There will be a test at the October reunion! (kidding) (The Story of Thomas Banks—A Video Journey narrated by Ed Jackson.) This video tells the story of Thomas Banks (1709-1789), from his birth and life in Virginia; to his life in Granville County, North Carolina; to his life and death at Coldwater Plantation in Wilkes (later Elbert) County in Georgia. Thomas is considered the father of Banks of Elbert.
(Website of the Banks Family Association.) Although interested in all lines of Banks families in the United States, the association’s primary focus is on that of Thomas Banks (1709-1789) and his descendants. Be sure to click on the BANKS DNA PROJECT link (on the homepage) for detailed genealogy information.
(This link is from the Banks Family Association’s website.) The report documents the 2012 two-day Granville County, NC reunion with presentation materials and photos) George Banks will discuss this at our October 14th reunion.
Got Money? If you’d like to contribute to the gravesite operating fund, or help with the reunion or Banks Newsletter expenses, contact Rusty Terrell : 706-491-2714, or email rbtkt@gumlog.net. Mailing address is 1982 North Fairview Rd., Lavonia, GA 30553
Got Scoop? For stories and other newsletter submissions, contact Donna Dodd: 678-574-7071, or email donnabdodd@yahoo.com. Mailing address is 3425 Spinnaker Way, Acworth, GA 30102
Join your Banks Cousins on our Thomas Marion (Bud) Banks Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195899920433030/members/ Just a reminder: Any of our cousin-members may ADD new members to our group!