Tense Franklin Banks

1950 - 2025

Tense Franklin Banks

Born: February 19, 1950 | Died: December 15, 2025

Tense Franklin Banks, age 75, passed away on December 15, 2025, at Cannon Hospital in Linville, NC. Tense was born on February 19, 1950, in Crossnore NC to parents Albert and Emma Lou Franklin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sister Luci Jo Franklin McCoury Wright and Doris F "Dodie" Franklin Thompson. Tense is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, Roger Banks; children Aaron Banks and Elizabeth "JoBeth" Banks; grandchildren Parker Banks and Emma and Nick Banks; and her brother Dean Franklin and his wife Tanya and sister Elizabeth "Bit "Franklin Wright, numerous nieces and nephews and many, many loving cousins.

Born into a mountain Franklin family whose roots stretch across seven generations, Tense grew up surrounded by family who shared stories of the old days. Gifted with a razor-sharp memory and a deep sense of responsibility to preserve those stories, she became a devoted local historian and author.

Tense wrote two important history books about Linville Falls and the surrounding communities: Life's Little Dash - The Life of Alexander Wiseman a genealogical review of William Wiseman's descendants and The Story of Linville Falls: A Village, A People, A Wilderness which traces the area's history of the Linville Falls area from Native American settlement to present day. The latter work earned an Award of Excellence from the North Carolina Society of Historians.

A lifetime member and staunch supporter of the Linville Falls Community Church, Tense made sure there were beautiful flowers in the sanctuary every Sunday from her own garden. And, loving wildflowers, she often stopped along the mountain highways to add to the weekly bouquets, as her daughter fondly remembers.

Roger, Tense's husband, started his career as a basketball coach, first in Avery County at Newland and then Avery High Schools, and then coaching at the college level at Gardner Webb, Austin Peay, Georgia Tech, University of Georgia and Auburn University. In all those moves, Tense was by his side, cheering for him and his players. She cooked for them, tutored them and treated them like her own children. Greats like Charles Barkley and Dominique Wilkins have eaten food prepared by her heart and hands and received the same love she gave her own husband and children.

During these stays in college towns, she earned two bachelor's degrees and almost a master's at Auburn. She used those degrees and her deep love of children to teach school while her own children were young.

Following her family's tradition of an annual reunion that goes back to the 1930s, she has been the force behind the last 35 years of Franklin Family summer reunions. Known as a local expert on history in Avery County and as a board member and Past president of the Avery County Historical Museum, Tense and her sisters worked tirelessly to curate historical rooms that tell the story of Avery County. Plus, Tense assisted in the restoration of the Linville Depot and ET&WNC caboose at the museum. As she continued her own genealogical research into the pioneer families of the area, she worked hard to help others in the community discover their own genealogical history.

The Linville Falls community and Avery County will feel the loss of this beloved wife, mother, historian and community leader. The Funeral Service will be held on December 30, 2025, at 10 AM at Linville Falls Community Church, followed by a private family burial. A fellowship lunch will be held at the church after the burial at noon. A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring where flowers will be welcomed since she loved them so much. In lieu of flowers now, please send a contribution to the Avery County Historical Museum, the Linville Falls Community Church or to Tunnel of Towers.