Barbara Jean Banks

1958 - 2026

Barbara Jean Banks was born on September 20, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois to Ollie and Rosie Lee Combs. The family moved to Gary, Indiana in 1963. The seventh of ten children, Barbara attended Roosevelt High School and the Gary Career Center, where she earned her Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) and Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) licenses. On May 5, 1979, Barbara married Curtis O’Neal Banks, Sr.; they shared 47 years of care, consideration, and love for each other.  Barbara was a devoted and loving mother to Vincent and Rosie and stepmother to Curtis, Jr.

Barbara, affectionately known as Bobby, Bob, Barb, or Aunt Bob, will always be remembered for her laughter, playfulness, straightforwardness, but, most importantly, her generosity and love for others. Barbara enjoyed playing cards and dominoes, dancing, and listening to music, especially R&B, gospel, and the blues. Barbara also liked taking walks, whether on a track or at West Beach and other trails in the Indiana Dunes. Her favorite flowers were purple roses.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Curtis; their three children, Vincent, Curtis Jr., and Rosie; her four grandchildren, Vincent Banks, Jr., Kalil Banks, Cassius Banks, and Koah Banks; her aunt Dianne Combs; eight siblings: Ollie (Mary) Combs, Marvin (Deborah) Combs, Alford Floyd (Michelle) Combs, Cachun, Sr. (Brenda) Combs,  Julia Shannon, Beverly Combs, Aaron (Trishann) Combs, Bechell (Lorenzo) Green, and Camille Frith. Furthermore, she leaves behind five siblings in law: Purnell Banks, Charles (Ida) Banks, Mattie (Rufus) Straughter, Barbara Franklin, Leann Banks, Daisy Berniece Banks, Patricia Banks; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Ollie and Rosie Lee Combs; her uncles, James and Drui (Dee) Combs; her sibling, Curtis Cunningham; and several siblings in law, Terry Shannon; Chester (Marjorie) Banks; Bea Banks; Gladys Banks; Fletcher (Dollie) Banks; Jerry Banks, and Isaac Banks.