Robert Banks

BANKS, Mr. Robert - Age 74, passed away Wednesday, March 21, 2012 in Perris, California. Family hour 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31, 2012 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing immediately at 11 a.m. Pastor Alfred L. Harris, Sr., officiating. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the funeral home 10 a.m. Saturday. Mr. Banks will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, and may be viewed from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday with family present from 5-7 p.m. Mr. Robert Earl Banks, Sr. was born on March 5, 1938 in Halls, Tennessee, to the union of John and Sarah Elizabeth Banks. He was the youngest of six children. At the age of thirteen, he and his family migrated to Alliance, Ohio where he attended Alliance Public Schools. As an adult he worked various jobs, including the American Steele Foundry and Transue and Williams Stamping Co. In August of 1968, Mr. Banks relocated to Flint, Michigan and became an employee of Buick Motor Division and a member of UAW Local 599, retiring in 1995. He was devoted to his family and dedicated especially to children; he had a way with them whether they were biological, adopted, nieces, nephews or grandchildren. Robert was friendly to everyone he met and his love and charismatic personality has made an everlasting impact on our lives; he’ll live forever in our hearts for everyone loved him too. Mr. Robert E. Banks, Sr. leaves to continue in his love and to preserve his memories: his loving, attentive and devoted wife of 22 years, Beatrice Pennywell-Banks; the love and pride of his life, his children; six daughters, Evonne Smith, Robin Banks, Rhonda Madison, Sandra (Michael) Moye, Teresa Roberts, all of Flint and RoShonda Banks of Seattle, WA; 3 sons, Robert Earl (Chantha) Banks, Jr. of Seattle, WA, Barry (Edna Smalley) Banks and Frank Jones of Flint, MI; sister, Mary Lucille Smith of Alliance, OH; 4 brothers, William (Pauline) Jarman of Halls, TN, Robert Jarman of Alliance, OH, Colliler Banks of Flint, MI and Joseph (Dora) Thurmond, Jr. of Decatur, IL; 6 sisters and brothers-in-law; Janie Strong, Bessie Richardson and James (Victoria) Green, Jr., of Flint, MI, Columbus Green, Sherman (Stella) Green and Liz (Lonnie) Williams of California; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends; the mothers of his children, Catherine Jones, Mary Banks, and Rose Pendelton. Relatives that preceded his transition: mother, Sarah Elizabeth Jarman-Banks; father, John Banks; sons, Rodney Earl Banks, October 5, 2002 and Henry Bell III; sisters, Ella McPhearson, Rosa B. and June Allen Haliburton; brothers, Eddie Hue Jarman and Earl C. Thurmond; nieces, Lorraine McPhearson, Laura Jarman, Susie and Karen Banks; mothers-in-law, Dora and Flossie Pennywell; numerous aunts, cousins and uncles. Our family is now experiencing one of life’s greatest sorrows…the loss of someone you love. Although we are now separated from his bodily presence, of which we will miss, the legacy of his life and the spirit of his love will be treasured in our hearts forever.

Robert Banks

March 5, 1938 - March 21, 2012