Frances Jean Banks

1928 - 2018

Frances Jean Banks
March 27, 1928 - July 30, 2018
Houston County, GA- Frances "Jean" Banks passed away on Monday, July 30, 2018.
Mrs. Banks was born in Greenbrier County, West Virginia to Warren G. and Elizabeth Zicafoose Cummings. She spent some of her happiest times growing up with her cousins at the family farm on Muddy Creek Mountain, near Lewisburg, West Virginia. Mrs. Banks was a graduate of Smoot High School in Smoot, West Virginia, with a graduating class of five. She later met the love of her life, Edward K. Banks and joined him as he traveled around the world while in the United States Air Force. Prior to having children, she worked as a Red Cross volunteer and at the Union Bag Paper Co. in Savannah, Georgia. The consummate military spouse, Mrs. Banks juggled three kids while weathering typhoons, moves, measles, chicken pox, little league and military red tape with ease -- often being both mom and dad when her husband was away. As is often the case with military families, she and her family had a wide circle of military friends who became "chosen family" and she loved to have them at her home for meals or to mark special occasions and holidays.
After an initial assignment to Robins Air Force Base in the early sixties, the family elected to later return, retire, and make their home in the Houston County area. Many customers of her husband's gun shop, as well as members of patrolling law enforcement, "conveniently" showed up at meal time to enjoy her home cooked meals. Neighbors, postal workers, doctors' staff, auto parts store employees, mechanics and the like received regular gifts of Mrs. Banks' baked goods. She worked hard to make each holiday, no matter how small, extra special for family and friends – with handmade crafts, home sewn gifts, Easter baskets, Valentines and special holiday cakes and cookies. A talented seamstress, she sewed choir robes, cheerleading uniforms, and other items for family and others. She also taught herself to do upholstery, and reupholstered many family furniture pieces over the years. Mrs. Banks' service heart was further demonstrated by her frequent stints as homeroom mom, field trip driver, Sunday School teacher, VBS teacher and shut-in visitor.
Later, after the kids left home, she went to work at the legal office of Joneal Lee and made many lasting friendships in the legal, banking and real estate fields. She was a lifelong fan of the Atlanta Braves and gospel quartets. She enjoyed keeping in touch with friends and relatives with telephone calls and by exchanging cards, letters and books.
Mrs. Banks is predeceased by her husband of 43 years, MSgt. Edward K. Banks, USAF, Retired; her sister, Elizabeth Sams and second husband, Harris D. Purvis.
Left to treasure her memory are son, Capt. Randall Banks (Rebecca); son, Daniel Banks (Susan); daughter, Karen Banks Albin; grandchildren, Kim Story, Nelia Banks, Brian Banks (Edwina), Ryan Banks (Brenna), Savannah Renfroe (Chase) and Anderson Banks; great-grandchildren, Rheylan Quinton, Allison Banks, Samuel Mace, Brett Mace, Dylan Mace, Gabriella Renfroe, Donovan Renfroe and Hunter Renfroe. Also left to remember her are special cousins from the Chase clan, and close friends, Carol and Darrell Carpenter, Judy Williams, Ann Blizzard, Betty Calhoun, and Sue Burgess.
Special thanks to the staff at the Perry Hospital and Church Home Rehab who cared for her during her last months, most especially Geneva and Madison.
Please make donations in lieu of flowers to one of Mrs. Banks' favorite charities, the American Cancer Society, 804 Cherry Street, Ste A, Macon, GA 31201.
Visitation will be Friday, August 3, 2018, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, 2018 in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home with Pastor John Lehenbauer officiating. Following the service, Mrs. Banks will be laid to rest in Parkway Memorial Gardens.
Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with Mrs. Banks' arrangements.


View the online memorial for Frances Jean Banks