Betty Banks

BANKS, Mrs. Betty - Age 63, passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at Genesys Health Park. Family hour 10 a.m. Monday, March 8, 2010 at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, G-5443 N. Saginaw St., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m., Pastor Alfred L. Harris, Sr., officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Monday. Mrs. Banks will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12Noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Mrs. Betty was born in Altheimer, Arkansas, the daughter of William and Mintlean Banks. Betty graduated from Martin High School “Class of 1964”. She was an athletic youth, who played basketball and was an all-state guard. Betty moved to Flint, Michigan after graduation and began her adult life. On November 4 1967, She became the mother of Kenyon Tyrone Banks. A proud woman, Betty washed dishes at the Flint Golf Club to support her family until she was hired into Chevrolet Manufacturing in 1969. She met and married her friend for life Richard Wilson, while working there and was transferred to A.C. Spark Plug, where she worked until retiring. Betty committed her life to raising her children and setting high ethical standards by which they would adhere to. Despite many medical challenges, Betty was a devoted wife and mother. She believed in discipline and respect. She demanded order and honor in her home and received it until the day she passed away. Her lifelong friend, Richard Wilson, son, Kenyon and daughter-in-law, Amanda cared for her throughout a lengthy illness, where Betty performed like a female Frank Sinatra, “She Did It Her Way”. She lived her life ruled by common sense, passion and love. Betty instilled a deep sense of family in her children and grandchildren and a standard of womanhood in her daughter, which speaks for itself. Betty loved her son, but made him work; she loved her daughter, but taught her that moral character is not an option, but the foundation of true virtuous character. She loved her grandchildren into wholeness and showered them with unconditional love, but would tan their legs for sass or back talk. Betty Jean Banks was every woman and we celebrate every triumph in her life because each victory was a harder fight than anyone could ever imagine and now she has rest and peace for a weary soul. She leaves to cherish her memory: daughter, Erika Yvonne Wilson of Norcross, GA; son, Kenyon Tyrone Banks of Flint; grandchildren, Antwan Maurice Banks-Croom of Atlanta, GA and Jasmine Marie Banks of Flint; 3 sisters, Arlene (Johnnie) Collins of Nashville, TN, Eddie Mae McCord of Grand Rapids, MI and Bobbie Jean (Clarence) Flowers; brother, W.T. (Audrey) Banks, all of Flint; cousins, Vergie and Ruby Jean Bryant, both of Pasadena, CA and Pat Burton of Flint; 3 sisters-in-law, Mildred and Audrey Banks, both of Flint and Wanda LeBlanc of Chicago, IL; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including special friends, Richard T. Wilson and sister-in-law, Audrey Banks and the entire Wilson and Banks families. Mrs. Banks was preceded in death by her parents, Mintlean Banks and William Banks; sister, Catherine Wedlow; brothers, Mac Banks, Donner Ray Banks and Charles Banks, Sr.; sister-in-law, Bernice Banks; brother-in-law, Green Wedlow; and aunt, Fannie Davis.

Betty Banks

April 10, 1946 - March 3, 2010