Sara Ann Simmons-Bankson

Sara Ann Simmons-Bankson, 80, of Los Angeles, California, passed away on February 9, 2026. She was born on June 7, 1945, at Immanuel Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, to Arline Humston (Cannon) and Delbert Humston of Murdock, Nebraska.

Sara grew up in eastern Nebraska, primarily in the towns of Murdock, Ashland, and surrounding rural communities. She graduated from Carson Macedonia High School in 1963 and attended what is now Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, for two years before pursuing her calling in nursing. She completed LPN training in Omaha and began her career as a pediatric ICU nurse in the late 1960s, dedicating herself to caring for the most vulnerable patients.
On January 22, 1971, Sara married Quincy Lee Simmons in Omaha. Together they welcomed three children: Michael Lynn Simmons, James Quincy Simmons, and Samantha Ann Simmons. Though their marriage ended in December 1981, Sara's devotion to her children never wavered.

In the late 1980s, Sara answered a deeper calling to serve. She joined the United Methodist Church as a church and community worker under the General Board of Global Ministries, taking a vow to live in the communities she served and maintain the same socioeconomic standards as those she helped. This commitment defined the rest of her life. Sara became a stalwart pillar of the Northeast Omaha community, working tirelessly with teenage mothers, people living with disabilities, after-school tutoring and enrichment programs, and single mother support initiatives.

Sara's impact on her community was profound and lasting. She worked with local organizations and government officials to establish a large food bank initiative that fed thousands of malnourished individuals living below the poverty line. She created programs to reduce gang violence and increase educational, vocational, and service opportunities for at-risk youth in Northeast Omaha. Her work touched countless lives and transformed her community.

Following her calling further, Sara pursued ordination as a local minister in the United Methodist Church. She served congregations in Crete, Ponca, Allen, and South Sioux City, Nebraska, before retiring in 2010. After retirement, she became a member of First United Methodist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she remained a member until her death.

On Christmas Day 2011, Sara found love again, marrying Kent Bankson in Lincoln, Nebraska. Kent was truly the love of her life. They enjoyed retirement together as avid card and game players, traveled to nearly a dozen baseball stadiums across the country, visited family in California, and took a near cross-country road trip through landmarks neither had seen before. They were almost never apart and genuinely rewrote both of their love stories late in life. Kent preceded her in death on September 16, 2025.

Sara was a lifelong lover of animals, particularly horses and cats. Growing up around horses, she developed a deep connection with them from a young age. Her love of cats was legendary, and she extended her care and concern to many cats and dogs throughout her life, believing that service extended to all of God's creatures.

An avid reader, Sara could easily finish two or three murder mystery novels a week while staying current with theological readings and political news. In her younger years, she was an accomplished crocheter and lifelong connoisseur of fine needlepoint work, gifting many handmade items to friends and family throughout the years.

Sara understood the power of storytelling long before it became fashionable. This made her a dynamic speaker from the pulpit and across Nebraska and beyond, where she spoke frequently about social justice issues, advocating for those in lower socioeconomic circumstances, marginalized communities, and people of color. She never shied from addressing what she felt was right or wrong, even in the face of threats of violence, and remained a lifelong advocate for the intentionally marginalized and underserved.

Sara was a lifelong Christian and devoted member of the United Methodist Church. One of her favorite quotes, from Cardinal Saint John Henry Newman, reflected her faith: "Lord support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at the last."

Sara is survived by her three children: Michael Lynn Simmons (Karen Buhr), James Quincy Simmons (Christopher Till), and Samantha Ann Simmons-Greene (David Greene); her niece Laurie Wageman (Doug Wageman), who was like a sister to Sara and was very active in her care; three grandchildren: EJ Simmons, Cora Simmons, and Sakura Simmons-Greene; and her brothers, Reverend Lynn Humston of Lawrence, Kansas, and Michael Humston of Holdrege, Nebraska.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Delbert Humston (September 20, 1998) and Arline Humston (January 8, 2005), and her beloved husband, Kent Bankson (September 16, 2025).

Sara moved to Los Angeles in November 2025 to be closer to family. Services will be held in Lincoln, Nebraska, later this spring. Details will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Cat House of Lincoln (https://thecathouse.org/) or Felius (https://felius.org/) to honor Sara's deep love and care for cats.

Sara's family extends our deepest, heartfelt appreciation to each and every nurse, healthcare provider, friend, and family member who assisted in her care throughout her journey. Many of you were quite special to Sara, and you were absolutely with her, helping to comfort her in her final moments on earth.