Mildred Banwell

Mildred Elizabeth Banwell, 75, of Annapolis died February 10. She had been suffering from pulmonary fibrosis. She was raised in Richmond, VA, graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School, and then Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University). Prior to meeting her husband, James, Mildred was the art director for the Yellow Pages in Washington DC. Mildred was an artist and homemaker, and dedicated to her family. After her move with James to Annapolis in 1967, they joined Calvary United Methodist Church, where she was a member until her death. She and Jim were church youth leaders in the late '60's. Millie was also a Stephen Minister at Calvary for a number of years, counseling those with grief, sickness and separation. Mildred was also a long-time supporter of the Annapolis Lighthouse Shelter and for years was in charge of their silent auction at the Bountiful Harvest dinner. When the new Shelter was being planned for Hudson Street, Mildred and James gave the initial donation to jump-start the capital campaign. The family resource center at the Shelter is dedicated to her memory. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Mildred Costen and Ralph Lynch Costen, both of Richmond VA. She is survived by her husband, James; and their sons, Jamie (Karla), Clarence, and Robert (Danielle). She is also survived by her grandchildren, James, Wilson, Hailey, Nolan, Daisy, CJ, and Riley; her brother, Ralph Costen (Marsha) of Richmond; and her sister, Carol Anne (Tim) of Danville, VA. Friends are invited to Mildred's visitation from 3 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 14, at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater. A funeral service will be celebrated at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 15, at Calvary United Methodist Church, Rowe Boulevard, in Annapolis. Interment is private. There will be a reception after the service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to the Annapolis Lighthouse Shelter, 2 Hudson St., Annapolis, MD 21401. An online guestbook is available at www.kalasfuneralhomes.com.